Welcome to part 3 of our 4-part look at the most common myths about counselling.
At The Spark have been looking at the misconceptions that can end up discouraging people from considering counselling. We are busting the myths and highlighting the truth about how counselling can help navigate the challenges of life.
Myth 7: Counselling is only for really serious problems
Many individuals with really challenging mental health issues can benefit from counselling. This does not mean however that there is some sort of minimum criteria for counselling.
The vast majority of The Spark’s clients are dealing with issues and challenges that we all face from time-to-time. Relationship difficulties, stress, depression, parenthood and bereavement are just a few examples.
Increasingly individuals and couples are viewing counselling – as we at The Spark do – as a normal part of managing the ups and downs of life. Often they will undertake a block of counselling sessions to deal with a new issue or life challenge as therapy is about developing strategies to deal with everyday issues.
Counselling is non-discriminatory in every sense of the phrase. There is no issue too small to be of concern and if it is of concern to you, a counsellor will be happy to help you with it.
Myth 8: Counsellors have it ‘all sorted’
Though it may come as a surprise, counsellors are human beings like you and me. They face the same challenges in life that we do and will go through the same emotions when it comes to loss, bereavement or relationship breakdown.
Through their extensive training counsellors develop a skill called self-awareness, which allows them to leave any of their own ‘baggage’ at the door of the counselling room. Once a therapy session starts, the time is devoted to you and the challenges you are facing.
Counsellors also undertake something called supervision. This is where they use the services of a clinical supervisor to review their own work, how they are progressing professionally and also to deal with any issues in their own personal life.
This combined with self-awareness allows professional counsellors to be completely focused on each client during a therapy session.
Myths about counselling
Check out part 1,part 2 and part 4 here
Find out more about individual, couple, marriage or family counselling with The Spark or complete an informal enquiry form.
Heard a myth about counselling we haven’t covered? Send it to us on Twitter or Facebook and we will bust that one too!
