Counselling | Psychotherapy | Hypnotherapy | Coaching

In Chester

There is no clear distinction between counselling and psychotherapy and the terms are often used interchangeably; the difference often relate more to individual counsellors training and interests. However, both are concerned with personal problems and facilitating change. For example, in my own work I am referred to as a counsellor in my contract with one agency and as a psychotherapist with another. However, the service I provide to both agencies is the same. For consistencies sake, here I will refer to the service as counselling and practitioners as counsellors.

Counselling is at best a personal encounter between two (or more) people, the client(s) and the counsellor.This is generally achieved through talking, although other techniques such as relaxation, homework, reading relevant references etc. may be used.It is is based on confidentiality(allowing the client(s) to talk freely and in confidence), boundaries(providing the element of safety), empathy(enabling the client to feel understood), acceptance and honesty. When these conditions are met, counsellors believe that the innate potential of the individual can operate, allowing them to heal themselves and discover their own creative solutions to their problems.Counselling is therefore not something which is done to the client by the counsellor, but a process of facilitating the client to help themselves.

Increases in stress related conditions, as a result of the increasing complexity and pace of modern lifestyles has resulted in growing demand for counselling.Counselling services have been shown to reduce the expense of drug prescriptions and hospital referrals, as well as reducing the number of sick days by employees.Counselling has also been seen as fulfilling the roles previously occupied by members of the extended family and the clergy.

Counselling is appropriate for all sorts of people.It can help if you are working class or middle class, old or young, heterosexual , gay or lesbian, black or white or from an ethnic minority community.People who have been sexually abused can find talking therapy particularly helpful if it is offered at a time when they are ready for it.It may also help if you are on medication, or you have had a diagnosis such as depression or obsessive compulsive disorder.Some people prefer counselling instead of prescribed drugs, or a combination of both.I would be happy to work with you while you are taking medication, as there is no reason why the two should not be used together.Some research shown that a combination of drugs and therapy works better than on its own.

If you are worried about something, or want to talk through issues that are affecting you, counselling offers the time and space to help you deal with lifes problems.Counsellors are trained to listen attentively and to help you find your own answers, without judging you.You may find that a supportive counsellor can help you through a crisis or a difficult patch in your life.Or you may find it more helpful to talk after the crisis has passed, to think about what happened and why.Counselling is more likely to help if you want to explore your feelings and change your behaviour.It can help people to understand what's blocking their progress, it enables them to grow and make the best of themselves.

Counsellors have different types of training, so their approach and way of working will vary.However, research has shown that how you get on with the individual counsellor is more important than the type of therapy you get.If you are and your therapist can work well together, trust and respect each other, it is more likely to work for you.

There is often a stigma around counselling and some people feel it is a sign of weakness to go for this type of help.Seeing a counsellor doesn't mean you are self-indulgent or going mad, don't let these prejudices stop you trying it.It can take strength and courage to be prepared to look at yourself and your situation.

The process of Therapy

The five stages (according to Christine-Lister-Ford, 2002)

1: The client tells their story:important information is gathered, and the practitioner and client develop their working relationship.

2: The client develops insight and awareness:about themselves and the origin of their problem.

3: The working through stage:where the client will release "held emotions related to going against their human wants and needs".Sometimes clients need to grieve for the past opportunities they have missed because of their self-imposed limitations.Clients become free to re-evaluate their lives, free from the limitations of the old destructive patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that had been holding them back.

4: The redecision stage:is where the client makes and acts on decisions they have made for themselves based upon their new free way of being.Clients will experiment with "being different both inside and outside the counselling session".

5: Succeeding and ending counselling:this is the point at which the clients have achieved their goals and are happy to review their work and the end of therapy.