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What does Counselling involve?
Clients meet a professional counsellor
in a private and confidential setting in order to explore areas of distress that may be troubling them. In sessions you are
given the freedom to talk openly, enabling new insights and understanding to emerge. The counsellor provides an environment
in which the client feels respected, listened to, affirmed and accepted. Although it may sometimes be appropriate to offer
advice or guidance, the emphasis is very much on enabling you to achieve change rather than telling you what to do.
Counselling varies in length from short or long term depending on the needs and wishes of the client and the depth
of issues being considered. People come to counselling with an enormous variety of concerns but some of the issues that are
commonly dealt with in counselling are: anxiety, depression, stress, spiritual issues, addiction, abuse, bereavement, divorce,
low self esteem, relationship difficulties, panic attacks, work issues, infertility, destructive behaviour patterns (eg self-harm,
eating disorders and anger management). For some clients their problem is an underlying dissatisfaction with life or
a loss of direction or purpose. They may have come on the recommendation of a GP or a friend or relative. Life throws up incredible challenges to us all.
Many people have found counselling to be enormously helpful in enabling them to manage these challenges and move forward in
whatever way is appropriate for them.
Counselling is a process that is psychologically empowering, improving
self-esteem, confidence and self-awareness.
How do I find a Counsellor? It is important to find a counsellor
who is right for you so counsellors often provide a free initial consultation in order to assist clients in deciding whether
this is a person they feel comfortable working with. It is also important to find a professionally trained counsellor. Counsellors should
have undergone at least four years of training and hold a diploma in counselling approved by a recognised University, the
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or other reputable organisation. They should hold professional
indemnity insurance and be a member of a professional organization such as the BACP or the Counselling Society.
Susie Barrington holds a diploma in Counselling validated by the
University of Gloucestershire. She is a Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and currently practises
as a counsellor in Bristol and Chippenham. Prior to counselling Susie worked for 18 years in education where she developed
her interest in human potential. She maintains this interest both in her therapeutic work with clients and as a facilitator
training counsellors in Bristol.
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