A few years back, while I was still in the process of training to be a counsellor, a client asked me a question that got me thinking: “How can counselling help me?” Back then, I couldn’t give a straightforward answer, in part because each of my clients seemed to gain something different from the experience.
After much thought and discussion with colleagues, plus feedback from my clients, I began to see more clearly the reasons why counselling can be such a transformative experience.
So, here are some of the key reasons why counselling can help you.
1. Develop self-awareness
Becoming more self-aware is like unlocking the door to personal growth and better decision-making. Without self-awareness, it’s like stumbling in the dark, unsure why you feel or act a certain way.
When you engage with a counsellor who encourages self-reflection, you embark on a journey to explore your values, beliefs, thoughts, and behaviours more deeply. This process offers a newfound clarity and understanding, placing you in an ideal position to initiate meaningful changes in your life.
By the way, I found an interesting article titled “What is self-awareness, and why is it important?” on Betterup that you might find helpful in exploring this topic further.
2. Real non-judgmental support
As a qualified counsellor, I fully understand the significance of providing non-judgmental support. We are all human beings and deserve a secure and encouraging environment where we can freely share our thoughts, emotions, and concerns without the fear of criticism. This isn’t often found in our daily lives.
Counselling can offer you real confidential support. It serves as a sanctuary where you can express yourself privately, knowing that you will be heard and genuinely understood. You’ll encounter acceptance, authenticity, and empathy precisely when you need it. The benefit of this isn’t to be underestimated.
During a counselling session, you have the freedom to speak openly, be your authentic self, and rest assured that judgment has no place there.
3. Manage your mental health
Counselling can help you to manage various mental health conditions. From my personal experience, many of my clients have not only learned to live their condition, but many have successfully overcome conditions such as anxiety through counselling.
Furthermore, it can complement other interventions and treatments when dealing with issues such as addiction, trauma, and PTSD. Effective counselling enables people to delve beneath the surface, uncover root causes, and identify triggers.
We aren’t born with a manual on how to manage our mental health, and seeking guidance from a certified counsellor is a crucial step for anyone seeking to understand and improve their mental well-being.
4. Learn coping skills & strategies
If you’re seeking a simple response to “How can counselling help me?” here it is: with the guidance of the right counsellor, you can acquire effective coping skills, tools, and strategies to help you manage the challenges of daily life.
These can be applied to manage a range of emotional challenges, including anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, grief, and many other issues you might be grappling with.
Counselling equips you with practical skills, which you can develop and enhance over time, essentially building your own “toolkit” to draw upon when confronted with life’s difficulties. Once you have a better understanding of yourself and what works for you, you can start regaining control.
5. Improve your relationships
During your counselling journey, you might find a newfound appreciation for your most significant relationships and identify which ones truly warrant your focus. Conversely, you might choose to distance yourself from relationships that have a detrimental effect on your well-being.
Counselling has the potential to enrich your existing relationships by enhancing your communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills. It can also provide insight into your relationship patterns and how they impact you.
Consider counselling as a training ground for your present and future relationships. Understanding your interaction patterns with others can contribute to healthier relationships across all aspects of your life.
6. Understand why you do things
You might find yourself overeating when stressed, indulging in excessive alcohol consumption, or resorting to self-harm. These actions can lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment, guilt, or even a mix of these emotions.
You may be asking yourself “Why do I keep engaging in self-destructive behaviours?” or “Why do I react this way?” Life can become a whirlwind, and often, we act without knowing why. I firmly believe that understanding the reasons for acting or feeling a certain way is essential for change.
Many of us feel trapped within our behaviours and habits. Counselling can help to shed light on the reasons behind these.
7. Make sense of the past
Understanding your past and your personal history is profoundly important.
The past has a huge influence on who you are today, often more than you might realise. Think about your upbringing, past relationships, experiences, and losses. All of these elements contribute to the person you see when you look in the mirror.
There’s immense value in comprehending your past and how it has shaped your life. Even the deepest wounds can heal, and you can conquer even the most painful experiences through this understanding.
8. Set & achieve meaningful goals
Setting and working towards meaningful goals is a fundamental aspect of personal development and growth.
In a therapeutic setting, a counsellor can provide guidance, support, and strategies to help people define and achieve their goals, whether they are related to mental health, relationships, career, or personal well-being.
Having a clear sense of purpose and direction can be incredibly empowering and motivating.
9. Learn to value yourself
Perhaps you find it difficult to say no to people because you tend to prioritise them over yourself, sometimes to the point of burnout. Recognising your self-worth is about understanding that you deserve love, success, joy, and respect just like everyone else does.
Counselling offers a space where you can explore the significance of your existence and your role in this world. It’s an opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-appreciation.
Low Cost Online Counselling
Our low-cost counselling service gives you access to private therapy for only £29. Just follow these two simple steps to access our affordable counselling service.
Step 1: Go to the self referral contact form below.
Step 2: Complete the form to book and secure an initial free consultation.
It’s as simple as that. One of our team will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your needs.
