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Is counselling for me?
How do you know if counselling is what you want? Let me
ask you the following question:
What is prompting you at this moment in your life to
look at a website such as this?
You may just be curious to find out more about counselling.
More probably, your answer to the question I have asked you will refer to some
unease, discomfort or even distress that you are currently experiencing. This
may arise from a situation, from another person, or from your relationship
or involvement with either or both. If that is so, how will you know whether
counselling is what you are looking for?
Look at the following grouped statements and
think about which group best reflects your motivation.
Counselling is for me because:
- I want to talk to someone for a while; or for as
long as it takes.
- I need someone to help me understand myself and
what is going on in my life.
- I know it's going to be hard but I need to make
changes.
- I'm not expecting any instant results.
- I want someone to help me clarify what my options
are.
- I want someone to help me see myself/ my situation
differently.
- I need to take my time with someone who will listen.
Counselling is not for me because:
- I don't like talking about my problems.
- I want someone to tell me what to do.
- I don't have the time to see someone regularly.
- I don't feel strong enough at the moment to face
what's troubling me.
- I just want to switch off.
- I have too many problems to cope with at the moment.
If you identify with the second group of statements it may
be that now is not the right time for you to enter into a counselling relationship
that requires time, resilience and active participation from yourself as a
client. Listen to what your motivation is telling you now. Perhaps some self-help
reading, listening to a tape, or consulting your GP about medication, would
suit you better at this time. When your motivation changes, you could reconsider
counselling as an option.
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