CHOOSING A COUNSELLOR
Counselling is a contractual arrangement when a counsellor meets a client in privacy and confidence to explore a difficulty or distress the client may be experiencing, perhaps dissatisfaction with life or loss of a sense of direction or purpose.
Counselling is always undertaken at the request of the client and no-one should be ‘sent’ for counselling. There are situations these days where people with influence in our lives, such as employers or family, will suggest counselling as a solution to a problem but this should be offered without any pressure..
Counselling will help you make decisions, but a counsellor will not tell you what to do. If that is what you want, then look at another form of help such as information and advice agencies, phone helplines or support groups.
The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), produces a directory of reputable practitioners and this should be your starting point. A BACP Accredited Counsellor has attained a required level of training and experience. This means practitioners are covered by a Code of Ethics and Practice and a Complaints Procedure.
All BACP members are required to undertake, supervision. Supervision means that the counsellor meets regularly with a colleague to talk over the work, for support and discussion of problems in complete confidentiality.
Counsellors place great importance on their own personal therapy as it helps them experience the role of the client, increasing their understanding of themselves and others.
Some practitioners are specially trained to work with couples, families or groups. If you are having relationship problems, it might be appropriate for partners or families to work with a counsellor. Group therapy is very effective in areas such as alcohol and drug treatment.
The final judge of whether a counsellor is right for you has to be based on your own instincts. Talk to a counsellor and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Then ask yourself if you would feel comfortable telling this person intimate details of your life, do you feel safe with them and could you be completely open with them?
How long will counselling last is a common question and it depends on you, the counsellor and the problem. While deep-rooted problems may need a weekly session for several months, short term counselling for a specific problem may take only a few weekly sessions. A session is usually 50 minutes. It is all too easy to miss sessions if the going gets tough and frequently clients find the counselling process quite painful before the benefits are felt. Payment and how many sessions you might need will be agreed during the first session. Part of setting the contract will be to agree the number of sessions before an assessment and review of progress is made, usually not more than six.
Your first contact with your chosen counsellor will most likely be on the telephone. Often a counsellor will use an answer phone as this avoids interruption during counselling sessions. Do not be put off by this– the counsellor will call you back, but only if you leave your contact details.
The first appointment will be used to discuss whether continued counselling would be appropriate to your needs and is without obligation on either side to continue. Practical considerations such as time, place, cost and duration of meetings will need to be decided and you should feel free to ask questions about the counsellor’s professional background.
All that takes place between counsellor and client in private and agreement is usually made during this first session about confidentiality. If circumstances change, the client’s consent will be sought for an alteration to this agreement.
During this time you can build up an idea of what is involved and you will be able to decide if you can work with the counsellor. It is important to be clear about what you want and what the counsellor is offering. What you agree now will form a contract between you and the counsellor.
If you are not sure about the first counsellor you see, then you are free to see another one. Having confidence in your counsellor is vitally important and will enable you to get the best outcome for yourself.
