What are your opinions on counselling?

Question

I have my first session on tuesday and i am very nervous and not sure what to expect..
what sort of questions do they ask? Any help/advice u can give will be appreciated.

xxx

Don.... how can u help?
xxx

Answer 1

First you will be asked why you are there, what is it that you need help with. Based on that answer, and how cooperative you are to your health and healing, the conversation will be directed towards treating and helping you manage your issues and live a life you feel comfortable with. It is a wonderful gift that you are able to have this help. Take full advantage of the help and care they can offer you. You will be very pleased with yourself and more at ease in your daily life. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

It's really about finding the right therapist, as not all counselors are the same. What you might not like might be right for someone else.

Some people say counseling is a waste of time, but that's only because they've had bad experiences. Each counselor's style is different, their education may be different, their specialties may be different, etc.

I don't know why you're seeing a counselor or what type you are seeing ( a psychologist, a social worker, etc), but usually they ask assessment questions....like if you're having sleep problems, feeling suicidal, experiencing a lot of anxiety, mood swings, a lot of crying, etc.

After that's done, the core of the therapy starts and the counselor will help you with whatever you came to see them for. If you don't like a counselor, you don't have to keep on seeing them! Simply say you're not comfortable and you can find another one. The therapist won't feel offended.

You can go online, email counselors, talk to them on the phone..find out what they specialize in and if they have a good grasp of what you're going through. It's time-consuming for some, but worth it!

Answer 3

As a student nurse we were told a little bit about counselling. the councillor will have a diploma or above and usually a professional background such as nursing or psychology. The job of a councillor is to win the persons confidence and get them to relax and open up. The councillor does not provide the answers and won't tell the client this or that is your problem, but will get you to talk about yourself. The idea is for you to be assisted to find out what it is that is troubling you; why it's troubling you and what you choose to do about it. Counselling assumes that we all know deep down inside what is troubling us and often need help to realise it. The councillor uses open questions, not biased so that you are invited to talk about things, explore ideas and feelings that may be troubling you. The councillor is open minded, non judgemental, supportive and confidential. They will not repeat what you say to anyone else.They will keep notes usualy of each session so that the councillor knows next time what's been discussed. There is nothing to worry about, there is nothing you can say that would shock or surprise them. Remember they listen to hundreds of personal details. Have confidence in them. They are there to help you.

Answer 4

Basically what you do is just talk through your issues and your councilor will work with you to create an action plan and in each session you will slowly get close to your goals.

This can take a long time or a short time, it depends on you, but don't try to rush it just talk about what bothers you in a way that you feel comfortable with and when you want to stop you can end the session. Like wise if your councilor thinks that you are becoming too stressed they can also end the session.

The most important this is not to worry.

Answer 5

They will make you very comfortable and you probably will be a little nervous before but after you are there you will begins to feel comfortable. And don't mind saying how you feel because they are only there to help, if you've got a good doctor.
Some people hate counseling because they are afraid of what they may say or what questions they may ask.
I know from experience I would go to them because they understand so much and are so accustomed to different questions. This will be YOUR time just for you.

Answer 6

A word to the wise namely I hope you have chosen your counsellor well.
They must be accredited if you are seeing one in The UK.
If they are not accredited then leave immediately, there are charlatans out there who will try and rip you off.
If your counsellor is bone fide then in your initial session they will explain the type of counsellor they are.
They will explain that anything you say to them is in the strictest of confidence.
They will tell you that they will have to take notes so that from session to session they don't forget anything.
You will feel nervous at your first meeting but if the counsellor is good they will put you at your ease and you will begin to relax.
Sessions normally last for an hour.
After visiting your counsellor for 6 sessions you will need to reassess how you are doing and whether you need to continue.
Hope this has been helpful and Good Luck.

Answer 7

I had counselling when I was about 9 following the death of my grandad, basically they'll ask you questions about whatever problems you're having in life, they're not there to judge you or anything, they're just there to look into whatever's bothering you and see how they can help at the end of the day. No need to be nervous. Hope things work out for you.

Answer 8

On the first time, they kind of just ask you about your life and thingsa you feel. They don't really get into any deep stuff until youre more comfortable there. I was nervous my first time too but the lady was very nice and understanding. I had no problem telling her everything and anything I was feeling. You shouldnt be nerous because it's just nothing and in 10 years, you won't even care that you were so nervous.

Answer 9

Counselling can help you make an informed decision on your own life and problems.
A good counsellor will re direct your questions back, to make you think about the issues and directions of your life.
The counsellor will or should be a good listener, even if you wanted to spend the whole time crying, they have done their job. Who do you know out of all your friends would let you do that with out telling you to 'stop it' or 'pull yourself together'.
You go for it, and get stuff of your chest that no one has the time to listen to.
You will learn a lot about yourself.

Answer 10

A counsellor works for you, not the other way around. They are there to give you the help you need. You are still in control, it is still up to you.

Having said that, the quality of counselling is dependent on the level of honesty. I know it's really hard to be completely honest, but it is fundamental to counselling and your own healing.

Your counsellor has to be someone who can trust to be brutally honest.

Good luck :)