Counselling

What is Counselling?

Counselling is a commitment to help others work through their problems to achieve a meaningful and satisfying life for themselves and those around them. Counselling is about instilling hope and courage in clients so that they can face their issues. It helps clients to maximize on tools to achieve out-of-session change opportunities.

Counselling is a relationship between the counsellor and the client where a therapeutic connection is made. Through this safe and ethical relationship and connection, healing and change happen to improve the clients’ life experience. Counselling is a space for the clients to process and reflect on their most inner core thoughts and feelings without being judged. In counselling, clients share with the counsellor some of the most important, delicate and personal aspects of their lives and of who they are.

What makes a great Counsellor?

Great counsellors are able to hold the space and be there with the clients in a respectful, genuine and empathic way. Great counsellors are totally committed to the clients they serve. Counsellors have the ability to connect with the clients in a way that they can see beyond the spoken words. Great counsellors help clients to learn to navigate their lives on their own. 

What are the three most useful skills or attributes to possess as a Counsellor?

Self-awareness, knowing and understanding oneself, including attitudes, values, and feelings and the ability to recognize what factors affect you as a counsellor.

Flexibility, the capability to adjust what you do as a counsellor to meet the clients’ needs while building and keeping a therapeutic relationship that the clients benefit from.

Empathy and understanding, the ability to put oneself in another’s place, without any judgement even if that person is totally different from you.