What to Expect

 

COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

  • These days Counselling and Psychotherapy can often be used as interchangeable terms overlaping with each other in many ways
  • More often than not there appears little if any difference between them.
  • Historically, counselling has been seen to address relatively new issues or a crisis; by working in the present and over a shorter period of time.
  • Psychotherapy has been viewed as addressing longer standing issues which may need deeper exploration and attention to the past and childhood experiences
  • Psychotherapy sessions may need arranging on a longer basis of several months to a few years
  • Presently it is common to find that counsellors and psychotherapists are working in all these areas.

It is normal and healthy to need to talk to someone about how we are thinking, feeling or behaving

…we are social and relational beings!

  • For different reasons we do not always feel able to turn to someone when needed, and this can add to our difficulties.
  • Working with a professional therapist means that we are supported at these times
  • This enables us to express, explore and make sense of what we are experiencing in a safe, confidential and non judgemental setting,
  • We can progress to finding ways to feel better and make changes needed in respect of our thinking and behaviour.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT IN SESSIONS

  • for therapy to be most effective, it needs to be your choice to attend
  • you need to feel willing to work at addressing your own issues rather than for instance feeling persuaded or forced by your partner, family or friends.
  • therapy is not about being told what to do, or being given the right answers or receiving quick fixes
  • its about experiencing a therapeutic relationship; which enhances and develops your relationship with yourself and others
  • it supports you to learn how to increase beneficial self-support; and make helpful changes for longer term benefits.
  • counselling and psychotherapy is a serious investment of time, money and effort
  • I, the therapist will also commit to investing myself into our relationship
  • I commit to supporting you on a dependable and consistent basis
  • for psychotherapy to be effective, it will normally be important for you to attend sessions regularly on a weekly basis
  • we will need to develop a good working relationship together
  • you will need to set some realistic goals
  • I will need to support and challenge you as needed
  • it is a team effort.
  • working on long term deep seated issues can sometimes take several months to a couple of years to experience change and benefits
  • if you imagine how long you have been thinking, feeling and behaving the way you have it may be understandable that some of these ways of being will not just change in a few sessions
  • it can take time and repetition of new experiences to change and learn differently
  • it is normal when attending therapy to sometimes feel worse before feeling better
  • the process of therapy can be about facing difficult thoughts and feelings
  • in the short term this can feel painful and uncomfortable, so this can be seen as a courageous investment for the long term benefits.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR COUNSELLING PSYCHOTHERAPY SESSIONS

First Session

  • Our first session,  will not be like a normal counselling session as it will involve a mutual assessment
  • We will both be checking out if we are okay to work together, and also that I feel able to support you
  • I will provide information about the structure and agreement we would have if working  together
  • I will collect some brief details from you about your background
  • I will ask what concerns you are coming with and what your goals are in therapy
  • I will also highlight ways in which we may be working together.

 

 Following Sessions

  • A counselling session is an opportunity to talk about your thinking, feelings and behaviours which need attention
  • It is helpful for you to be as open and as honest as possible
  • The more you can put into your counselling the more you will get out of it.
  • It is understood that this is a new relationship you are entering into and it may take time for you to trust our relationship
  • What you want to say will not be judged, and will be taken seriously
  • It is also important for you to go at your own pace
  • It is normal to disagree with what your therapist is saying sometimes, eg she may not have understood something correctly
  • It is important to feel that you can express and share any feelings, concerns, or differences that you have
  • Counselling takes courage, honesty and willingness to look at yourself, express yourself and make changes together with your therapist
  • It can be useful to reflect on your therapy sessions to see what thoughts and feelings you are left with
  • It is all part of the process of counselling to describe your experiences in counselling, and your relationship with your therapist if needed.
  • If there is anything you need to know, or you do not understand it is always encouraged for clients to check with their therapist. If you would like to book a free initial assessment please

 

Kathy Brown  see > home page

: kathycbrown22@gmail.com

Text or Call: 07583988552