Frequently Asked Questions
What is it all about?
The world of counselling can be a confusing place; especially when you are under stress and perhaps unsure what your options are and who can help. Answering some frequently asked questions may be helpful.
Q; What is the difference between counselling & therapy?
The difference in terminology may suggest when we talk about counselling and psychotherapy we may be dealing with two different professions or specialities within one profession. This is not the case. Historically, the term ‘counselling’ has merely appeared for political reasons which are internal to the profession. Carl Rogers founded the person-centred approach which has become extremely popular amongst therapists. However, his background was in psychology rather than in medicine. For this reason the American psychiatrists objected to his use of the term ‘psychotherapy’ which at the time and in the American context had a strong connection with medicine. In response to this objection Rogers used the term ‘counselling’ in the 1950's. This allowed him to continue the practice of psychotherapy under a different name.
Nowadays the terms counselling and psychotherapy are frequently used interchangeably by professionals who generally have little reason to distinguish between them. Counselling is more frequently associated with the humanistic tradition than with the psychodynamic one which takes its roots in psychoanalysis.
Essentially a counsellor is a trained professional who aims to create a confidential relationship with people in distress so they can safely express their thoughts and feelings and make sense of painful or confusing experiences. This process allows people to find for themselves the best way to manage problems and make changes in their lives.
Q: Is all therapy the same?
No. There are different methods and approaches to therapy and your chosen therapist will be able to talk to you about their particular method or approach. The most important part of counselling is the relationship built between the counsellor and the client.
Q: How is talking to a counsellor different to talking to my friend or a family member?
Talking to a friend or family member is great; however, not everyone has that option or may feel they can do this. How can you be confident in the knowledge that it will not be passed on or brought up in conversation in the future? Counsellors do not come to your situation with an emotional attachment to the issue. Counselling can offer you a safe and confidential space where you can speak freely and without fear of being judged. Counsellors are trained to help you gain awareness of and insight into your issues. This can help you identify your options, enable you to resolve problems, improve your relationships and make important changes in your life.
Q: Am I weak for asking for help?
No. Although many people think that they have to 'be strong' and not seek help, actually those who can admit to their difficulties could be considered the strong ones as asking for help is often the first step toward resolving the problem. The role of the therapist is to help you better access and make greater use of your natural strengths and resources which can often increase your awareness of strengths and resources which have been neglected.
Q: If I see a counsellor does it mean I have a mental illness?
No. Seeing a counsellor does not mean that you are ill. However, where there are symptoms of an illness such as depression, counselling can be helpful. I will not treat you as a sick person - just someone going through a bad time.
Q: You say that counselling is confidential, but what does that mean exactly?
I will not share what you tell me with other people. Confidentiality is an essential part of the counselling relationship.
Q: What are the limits of confidentiality?
Counsellors have legal and ethical obligations and therefore there are specific things that if you did tell to me I would be obliged to report. These circumstances are:
Supervision is an essential part of safe practice and the work that we do together will be overseen by my supervisor, though they will not know the details of who you are. Supervisors also work to the same strict confidentiality promise.
Q: How will therapy make me feel: will I feel better straight away?
Therapy is a very personal process. Sometimes it is necessary to talk about painful feelings or difficult decisions, so you may go through a period of feeling worse than when you started. However, therapy should enable you to feel better in the long-run. If you do experience a period of feeling worse, talk to your therapist about it to ensure you get the best out of your therapy.
Q: Does it work for everybody?
Counselling doesn't work for everybody. It is not a universal cure-all. Because you may be talking about very personal and often painful things, it can sometimes be difficult to keep going. It is worth the effort to try counselling though as you may be helped to work through problems.
Click the link questions:
What is Empathy?
How does stress affect your brain?
[Clicking on these may take you away from this website]
The world of counselling can be a confusing place; especially when you are under stress and perhaps unsure what your options are and who can help. Answering some frequently asked questions may be helpful.
Q; What is the difference between counselling & therapy?
The difference in terminology may suggest when we talk about counselling and psychotherapy we may be dealing with two different professions or specialities within one profession. This is not the case. Historically, the term ‘counselling’ has merely appeared for political reasons which are internal to the profession. Carl Rogers founded the person-centred approach which has become extremely popular amongst therapists. However, his background was in psychology rather than in medicine. For this reason the American psychiatrists objected to his use of the term ‘psychotherapy’ which at the time and in the American context had a strong connection with medicine. In response to this objection Rogers used the term ‘counselling’ in the 1950's. This allowed him to continue the practice of psychotherapy under a different name.
Nowadays the terms counselling and psychotherapy are frequently used interchangeably by professionals who generally have little reason to distinguish between them. Counselling is more frequently associated with the humanistic tradition than with the psychodynamic one which takes its roots in psychoanalysis.
Essentially a counsellor is a trained professional who aims to create a confidential relationship with people in distress so they can safely express their thoughts and feelings and make sense of painful or confusing experiences. This process allows people to find for themselves the best way to manage problems and make changes in their lives.
Q: Is all therapy the same?
No. There are different methods and approaches to therapy and your chosen therapist will be able to talk to you about their particular method or approach. The most important part of counselling is the relationship built between the counsellor and the client.
Q: How is talking to a counsellor different to talking to my friend or a family member?
Talking to a friend or family member is great; however, not everyone has that option or may feel they can do this. How can you be confident in the knowledge that it will not be passed on or brought up in conversation in the future? Counsellors do not come to your situation with an emotional attachment to the issue. Counselling can offer you a safe and confidential space where you can speak freely and without fear of being judged. Counsellors are trained to help you gain awareness of and insight into your issues. This can help you identify your options, enable you to resolve problems, improve your relationships and make important changes in your life.
Q: Am I weak for asking for help?
No. Although many people think that they have to 'be strong' and not seek help, actually those who can admit to their difficulties could be considered the strong ones as asking for help is often the first step toward resolving the problem. The role of the therapist is to help you better access and make greater use of your natural strengths and resources which can often increase your awareness of strengths and resources which have been neglected.
Q: If I see a counsellor does it mean I have a mental illness?
No. Seeing a counsellor does not mean that you are ill. However, where there are symptoms of an illness such as depression, counselling can be helpful. I will not treat you as a sick person - just someone going through a bad time.
Q: You say that counselling is confidential, but what does that mean exactly?
I will not share what you tell me with other people. Confidentiality is an essential part of the counselling relationship.
Q: What are the limits of confidentiality?
Counsellors have legal and ethical obligations and therefore there are specific things that if you did tell to me I would be obliged to report. These circumstances are:
- If there is a serious risk of harm coming to you or someone else
- If you tell me information relevant to a serious crime
Supervision is an essential part of safe practice and the work that we do together will be overseen by my supervisor, though they will not know the details of who you are. Supervisors also work to the same strict confidentiality promise.
Q: How will therapy make me feel: will I feel better straight away?
Therapy is a very personal process. Sometimes it is necessary to talk about painful feelings or difficult decisions, so you may go through a period of feeling worse than when you started. However, therapy should enable you to feel better in the long-run. If you do experience a period of feeling worse, talk to your therapist about it to ensure you get the best out of your therapy.
Q: Does it work for everybody?
Counselling doesn't work for everybody. It is not a universal cure-all. Because you may be talking about very personal and often painful things, it can sometimes be difficult to keep going. It is worth the effort to try counselling though as you may be helped to work through problems.
Click the link questions:
What is Empathy?
How does stress affect your brain?
[Clicking on these may take you away from this website]