What do you think of counselling / psychotherapy?

Question

I'm training to be a counsellor and just wondered what your opinions are. Have you had any experience of counselling, and what did you think of it? Did it work for you? Or for any family / friends? Or not?

By the way, I'm training to be a counsellor, not a psychotherapist.

And LizzieBeth, baby baby baby, I do know what I want from my life and my chosen profession, why do you assume I don't just because I am interested in other people's opinions?

Answer 1

I have had experiences, both good and bad. What I found was this: if the counselor came in with a set idea of how things would be, there was no point in me being there. If the counselor wanted to talk of all their wisdom, and try to show me the light, there was no point in being there.
What, however, was worthwhile, was this, and it'll sound very simple- listen and provide. Listen to the person, find out about the roots of their feelings, understand why they're feeling and thinking what they're thinking, then provide them the tools to improve the situation. You are bring and will be taught some methods in your classes for helping people to resolve a myriad of issues, I'm sure. That worked to help me through a tough time, and I strongly feel it was worthwhile for me to have gone through that, because I'm a more complete person today because of it.

Answer 2

Yeah I'm getting counselling at the moment. I'm a Psychology Student and I want to be a Clinical Psychologist, so I thought I better deal with my own problems before I start dealing with other people's!

I find counselling very useful. It's a place where I can freely express myself, via conversation, collaging, role-play, whatever.

I think as a counsellor, you will gain the respect of your clients, and thus be more useful to them i you are amiable and give them the impression that you actually care, and are on your level. If you're a social chameleon your clients will feel very able to interact with you and so the experience will be more rewarding for both of you.

I find counselling very helpful, as has my dad in the past. As for Psychotherapy, I was offered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, but has already established a raport with my counsellor and as such, stayed with her instead.

Good luck, as you can tell by my own career choice I believe this will be a very rewarding career for you, and I hope you love it as much as I hope to enjoy clinical psych.

Answer 3

Counseling or psychotherapy is a valid profession with multiple challenges and pitfalls. I have an MA degree in counseling and worked in the field for a number of years in children's services, working with abused, neglected, and at risk kids. For several reasons, burnout and interest in another field, I am currently working in the computer industry.

But, if I had to do it over again, would I? In a heartbeat. I learned so much, mostly about myself. It is true, know thyself. First, what are your reasons? I believe it boils down to either doing it for love, or doing it for power. My suggestion, do it for love, or don't do it at all.

Next, work harder on yourself then you do on anybody else. Believe me, if you have a flaw that needs working on, it will show up and be put blatantly in your face when you are a counselor or therapist.

Next, know your boundaries. Know how much of yourself you can give and still be you. But don't worry, if you don't know your boundaries now, you'll learn.

It takes a strong person with strong reasons to be a good counselor or therapist. The best counselors or therapists, I believe, lead people to their own answers, as we never have the answers for others, only ourselves. So, our job is to lead the client to their own best answer. When it's all said and done, maybe you'll be the best counselor or therapist around, and do a lot of good, or maybe you'll do a lot of good for a little while and then choose to do something else, as I have. Regardless, you will grow and learn from the experience. And THAT is worth it all.

Answer 4

I don't really think about it as it's not important, how do you feel about the responsibility of counseling people? In such a job a little nerves is understandable, you want help people right. Then they need you to be strong, to be confident, you're there to be supportive of them and not vice versa. It will take alot of energy to deal with all those doomers every day, there will always be one who gets you as well, enjoy the training, that must be fun.

Answer 5

It never helped me. in fact the opposite, but then I didn't go by choice so I was not open to it.

I do know friends who have been helped by it, and I would recommend it to someone if I thought it was appropriate.

However, I do think it is a sign of a breakdown of the community when we can no longer take out problems to friends, family, neighbours or religous leaders. I understand that some people are more open to someone outside the family unit, but how many people have no one at all.

Answer 6

The good thing about these is that they allow a safe space for people to express.
The bad thing is that if the counsellor has a fixed idea it only makes things worse.

Answer 7

You need to avoid being textbook, it's never helped me because the person I was talking to was too distant and looked very uncomfortable when they handed me a box of tissues! The people you deal with will have strong emotions so you need to not get too involved but realise that if you want to understand them you need to be able to be approachable. Work on your people skills as much as possible. Good luck!

Answer 8

Hey Jude

Should have guessed you would be interested in this field. It opens so many doors and broadens your horizons. Your answer to my question on the Teenage Trauma was the best.

Think you will be great in this subject/course.

Good Luck

Answer 9

I had some counseling during my divorce. I found it helpful to have an outside, unbiased listener, who could point out any faulty logic, or ideas not fully thought through.

Answer 10

baby, baby, baby, if you haven't made up your mind if you like it, maybe you should take a break and figure out what you really want. There is about 80% of the population that think we are quacks and the rest don't. You really have to be mentally strong in this profession, and have a non-wavering sense of being in your position. You do have colleague support but it is all within you if you want to stay. Others opinions will never validate you or what you do. Good luck on your journey!