Do you think I need counselling?

One of the most common questions that clients ask me is, “do you think I need counselling?”. Some go on to tell me that they feel they are wasting my time because there must be someone else who has worse issues than they do.

I can’t give you an answer to that question because counselling is a personal choice, and it is something you need to decide for yourself.  However, what I do believe is that each one of us is unique, and something that can affect your life or make you worry may not affect someone else.  That doesn’t make your worries any less important, and it doesn’t make someone else’s troubles more important than yours.

Sometimes we just don’t give ourselves the time to think about, and talk about, the things that we want in our life, or the worries we are facing.  You may have something happening in your life that on one day can make you feel really low, but the next day you may feel a little better about, so you put those worries to one side.   Maybe you feel that asking for help makes the issues you are facing seem more real, so if you don’t acknowledge them, then maybe they will go away.  However those feelings and thoughts will still be there, and it is likely to make you feel low again.

But you don’t have to deal with these issues on your own.  Talking to a counsellor can help you to overcome or cope with those feelings rather than avoiding them.

Counselling is a safe space for you to take time for yourself, and many people find it a tremendous relief to be able to talk to someone who will not judge them for what they are thinking or feeling – maybe for the first time in their life.

Whatever your situation – whether you are worried, depressed, confused, or you are struggling to cope with changes in your life – it can be helpful to talk things over with an understanding and well trained “outsider” who is there to listen; to understand your side of things; and who you can work together with to help find your own solutions to the issues in your life.

So back to that first question – do I think you need counselling?  As I say, that is your decision, but maybe the question to ask yourself is, “do I think I could benefit from having counselling”.

If you do, then use the contact details provided on this page to book a session.

 

Written by Derek Lovell of New Thinking Therapy.