The Counselling Process
Psychology and counselling are used in many cultures with the primary aim of helping people to work through their problems or issues in an environment that is safe, non-judgemental and confidential. There are many different counselling processes and interventions that a psychologist or counsellor can use to assist their client’s to reach their therapeutic goals.
Generally when a person first enters the counselling environment the psychologist or counsellor provides a space whereby information about the client can be gathered. During the initial session the psychologist or counsellor is focused on building a trusting and safe counselling relationship. It is this relationship that provides for a client to feel comfortable and trusting enough to begin to share themselves. This relationship building is a continuous process throughout the counselling relationship.
In the subsequent sessions the psychologist or counsellor will help the client to establish therapeutic goals, generally these goals are realistic and achievable for the client. Once the client has established their therapeutic goals the psychologist or counsellor will then proceed to introduced various techniques, methods and interventions to help the client achieve their goals.
One of the most common techniques a counsellor may use is CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), which allows the client to explore their thoughts, behaviours and emotional responses in relation to their issues/problems. This technique can help the client to challenge their beliefs about their issues/problems and thus make changes needed to find resolution.
However, there are many useful and wonderful techniques a psychologist or counsellor can use and some of these include narrative therapy, which is fundamentally telling your story; art therapy, which is very helpful for those who find verbal expression difficult; role-play (drama), which allows the client to act out their issues/problems and create new possibilities through acting and social skills training which is predominately a modelling technique. It is important to ask of you psychologist or counsellor has training in the techniques that they are recommending or using.
Generally a person will attend up to 10-20 sessions. This can be weekly or fortnightly to begin with, however frequency is dependent on the clients individual needs.
At the completion of the therapeutic interventions, a follow-up session after 3 months is generally recommended. In cases of trauma the psychotherapy process can last for up to 2 years.
Overall, the psychologists or counsellors aim is to help their client’s achieve their desired goals and has developed the necessary insights, skills and strategies to continue to live the life they desire.
Generally when a person first enters the counselling environment the psychologist or counsellor provides a space whereby information about the client can be gathered. During the initial session the psychologist or counsellor is focused on building a trusting and safe counselling relationship. It is this relationship that provides for a client to feel comfortable and trusting enough to begin to share themselves. This relationship building is a continuous process throughout the counselling relationship.
In the subsequent sessions the psychologist or counsellor will help the client to establish therapeutic goals, generally these goals are realistic and achievable for the client. Once the client has established their therapeutic goals the psychologist or counsellor will then proceed to introduced various techniques, methods and interventions to help the client achieve their goals.
One of the most common techniques a counsellor may use is CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), which allows the client to explore their thoughts, behaviours and emotional responses in relation to their issues/problems. This technique can help the client to challenge their beliefs about their issues/problems and thus make changes needed to find resolution.
However, there are many useful and wonderful techniques a psychologist or counsellor can use and some of these include narrative therapy, which is fundamentally telling your story; art therapy, which is very helpful for those who find verbal expression difficult; role-play (drama), which allows the client to act out their issues/problems and create new possibilities through acting and social skills training which is predominately a modelling technique. It is important to ask of you psychologist or counsellor has training in the techniques that they are recommending or using.
Generally a person will attend up to 10-20 sessions. This can be weekly or fortnightly to begin with, however frequency is dependent on the clients individual needs.
At the completion of the therapeutic interventions, a follow-up session after 3 months is generally recommended. In cases of trauma the psychotherapy process can last for up to 2 years.
Overall, the psychologists or counsellors aim is to help their client’s achieve their desired goals and has developed the necessary insights, skills and strategies to continue to live the life they desire.
