Counselling — what is it?
Person Centred Counsellors believe that the client knows him/herself best. The counsellor will follow the client's lead and listen empathically without judging. Counselling is a co-operative process in which client and counsellor work together. The counsellor will offer you the time, attention and respect necessary to explore, discover and clarify ways of living more resourcefully for your greater well being.
Counselling is not about giving advice. It aims to enhance or restore the client's own self-understanding, decision-making resources, risk taking and personal growth. Counselling offers you space and time to talk confidentially about your problems and challenges. The counsellor will help the client to listen to her/himself.
I will listen without judging you and without telling you what you 'should' do.
I will help you clarify and explore your thoughts and feelings with the aim of empowering you to enable you to find effective solutions. I want to help you move on and live your life the way you want to without the obstacles that are presently holding you back.
Counselling can deal with such events as the end of a relationship, loss of a job or death of someone close. Counselling can help you cope with aspects of your life that you feel unable to change. This could include your job, relationships, sexuality or self-esteem.
I offer you the chance to talk about difficult or painful life experiences in a safe place with an experienced and qualified practitioner. This means that I will listen, try to understand you empathically, will accept what you offer and will not judge you.
I will be myself and be real in our relationship. I will be with you but will not lead you. I hope to help you grow, change and accept yourself — perhaps even learn to like yourself? I will not give you advice because I believe that you are the person who knows yourself best.
When it feels appropriate I can offer play or art therapy.