Why don’t counsellors give advice?
Have you ever had a conversation where you tell your companion about your issues only to end up talking about how they solved their issues?
Did their advice help you feel more confident in your own capabilities or did it feel like everybody else copes better than me?
Utilising a non-directive counselling approach facilitates your ability to reach your goals through enabling you to identify your internal strengths and capabilities.
What happens in my first counselling session?
Our first meeting will be more of an introduction to each other, involving questions, to see if we can work effectively together.
This will be very unlike our subsequent weekly therapy sessions where I listen to you talking about what concerns you. I may summarise or paraphrase what you say in such a way that helps you gain insight and greater awareness.
Will our conversations remain confidential?
Confidentiality is assured other than in exceptional circumstances where issues concerning harm become predominant in line with BACP practice guidelines.
What happens in Supervision?
All members of the BACP require regular supervision from a highly qualified counsellor or psychotherapist. The supervisor overseas the counsellor’s work in relation to their clients. The counsellor discusses their case load with their supervisor to improve their professional practice. A pseudonym is used during these discussions to ensure the client’s anonymity remains intact.
Helpful Links.
Samaritans- www.samaritons.org
MIND-National Association for Mental Health- www.mind.org.uk
Mental health information for friends, families and carers- https://www.rethink.org.uk/carers-family-friends
Mental health services-24 hour support- www.infomationnow.org.uk
NHS choices- www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/mental-health-helplines.aspx
