What happens within a Counselling Session?

All your queries answered...

For those unfamiliar with counselling, apprehension or nervousness is normal to feel before your first session and about the unknown in general.

Taking that initial step to meet a complete stranger and share personal struggles requires courage. My aim is to alleviate your concerns and demystify the counselling session experience.

Attending the first appointment may be the most challenging aspect of the entire counselling journey. Once you arrive, a significant part of the counsellor's role is to ensure you feel welcome and at ease.

You'll receive a warm welcome, be directed to a quiet, private room, offered a cup of tea or water, and seated in a comfortable chair.

The initial minutes won't require you to speak too much. The counsellor will cover fundamental aspects such as their introduction and privacy and confidentiality policies. While essential, this provides you with an opportunity to ease into the session and become acquainted with your counsellor.

Following this, you'll be encouraged to share your experiences. The counsellor's responsibility is to attentively listen, comprehend your situation, ask clarifying questions, and succinctly summarize to ensure mutual understanding.

Beneath the surface, you're provided a secure, non-judgmental environment to express and explore your feelings, facilitating a better understanding. This process alone can be healing for many individuals.

The counsellor collaborates with you to determine your goals for the counselling sessions. Depending on your concerns, specific counselling goals may be discussed. However, these objectives vary for each client.

In line with your goals, the counsellor selects appropriate interventions. It's crucial to understand that counsellors don't dictate actions or offer solutions; instead, they employ skilled dialogue and proven techniques to facilitate your decision-making process.

Do I need to prepare for my first counselling session?

• No, simply showing up is sufficient. The focus will be on understanding you and your current life circumstances.

Do I have to discuss uncomfortable topics?

• Absolutely not. You always retain the right to privacy, deciding what to share or withhold. Counselling should never be a confrontational or invasive experience.

What if I don't connect with my counsellor?

• The pivotal factor for successful counselling outcomes is the relationship between you and the counsellor. If trust and rapport aren't established within the first 1-2 sessions, you have the right to explore other options until you find the right fit. You can mention this to your counsellor and they can refer you on to someone more in-alignment with you. You are the number 1 priority.

Is what I say to my counsellor confidential?

• The counselling process is a confidential agreement between the client and the therapist. What you tell a counsellor remains completely private and confidential unless there is risk of harm to yourself, risk of harm to another person (including mandatory reporting of child abuse), or if records are subpoenaed by a court of law. A counsellor can lose their professional registration by breaching confidentiality outside of these legal limits.