Counselling
Counselling is a process in which the counsellor helps and enables the client to explore something which is troubling them; assists them to work through a difficult life event such as bereavement, diagnosis of illness or relationship crisis; or in which the counsellor supports the client in reaching a decision or making a change in their life. Counselling takes place in a safe, private and confidential setting. The counsellor will not judge their client or seek to influence them in any way. The counsellor may be paid for using their counselling skills within the counselling relationship but will not seek any other material benefit and will not exploit the client in any way.
Some clients may seek counselling not because they are in a personal crisis but because they wish to take some time, with the assistance of a counsellor, to explore themselves, their childhood and past experience, or the ways in which they habitually relate to others, as a means of increasing self-awareness and effectiveness in the future.
The process of counselling and the relationship between counsellor and client is usually described and agreed in advance by means of a written or verbal counselling contract. This outlines times of counselling appointments, the fee charged by the counsellor for counselling, the place in which sessions will take place, and the length of each session and the expectations for the total length of counselling contract. They may agree to meet for just one session or have a long-term contract of six months to two years. Sessions may take place once or twice a week, fortnightly or monthly but the agreed frequency will form part of the contract. As counselling proceeds both counsellor and client will review the process and elements of the contract may be modified over time. For example, as the client approaches the end of their counselling it may be helpful to gradually move from weekly sessions to less frequent sessions and then to the last session. The counselling contract confirms the fact that counselling is a real commitment for both counsellor and client. It is a serious undertaking in which both client and counsellor expend effort for the ultimate benefit of the client.
Counselling can be a challenging process for the client. As difficult feelings such as anger, grief and shame are explored clients can also experience very strong emotions outside the counselling room. Nevertheless the overall aim of counselling is to enable clients to better understand their feelings and to develop resources to take back into their working and personal lives.
The relationship between client and counsellor is essentially a supportive one. Clients may develop trust in their counsellor and feel accepted by them. This enables clients to trust themselves and their own judgement and develops self-esteem and confidence. It is an empowering process and one, which enables real and lasting change to happen for clients.
Professional bodies in the UK
There are two professional organisations in the UK supporting counselling and psychotherapy. Most counsellors and psychotherapists practicing in this country will be a member of one or both:-
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
BACP House, 15 St John’s Business Park, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 4HB
Phone for enquiries: 01455 550243
Website: www.bacp.co.uk
Email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
- UK Council for Psychotherapy
2nd floor, Edward House, 2 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 7LT
Main switchboard: 020 7014 9977
Website: www.ukcp.org.uk
Email: info@ukcp.org.uk
Counselling at the Healing Clinic
Counselling at the Healing Clinic will take place by appointment with one of our professionally qualified counsellors. They are members of one of the above organisations, insured to practice one to one therapy and will be in receipt of regular supervision.
Appointments at the Healing Clinic take place in a confidential and private setting and individual sessions will last between 50 minutes and one hour. The length of the initial counselling contract will be discussed and agreed between counsellor and client at the initial meeting.
