Often when clients come to see me for the first time they have many questions and concerns. Below are a list of frequently asked questions which I have heard over the years as a clinical counsellor.
Is there something wrong with me that I need to be in counselling?
People who choose to go into counselling are making a proactive choice to shift what is not working and heal that which is interfering in their lives. It is an empowering action.
Will the counsellor understand me or choose to judge me?
A counsellor is trained to hear the needs of their clients and support them. Counsellors abide by a highly ethical code of conduct. As such it is only ethical to honour and respect the client’s journey.
Am I wasting the counsellor’s or my time? Aren’t there many more people who have worse problems than me?
Sharing your concerns, pain, grief, dreams, successes, fears, hopes & possibilities can never be a waste of time. Comparing your life with someone else diminishes the sacredness of your life’s experience. There will always be others who are in greater or in lesser need than yourself. This does not take away your need for support.
Will the counsellor like me or respect me if I disclose my fears, my shame, my failures, my addictions, my self-sabotaging habits or failures?
The counsellor holds great honour and respect for the journey that the client is on. It takes courage to address the problems which prevent us from living empowered lives.
How long will the counselling take? Will I be trapped to make a commitment? How costly will it be?
The length of time an individual is in counselling is dependent on the depth of work that the client needs and wants to complete. The client is never trapped. The client has full freedom to stop whenever he or she wishes. The financial cost of counselling is dependent on the amount of investment the client wishes or needs to make towards personal growth. It is smart for the client to create a budget for counselling ahead of time so that the finances do not become a stressor for the client.
Can I trust the counsellor to be strong enough for me?
Ask the counsellor any concerns you have about them and sense whether your questions have been properly answered. There are many excellent counsellors, you might wish to meet several counsellors before you choose the one you wish to work with. This can also be a wonderful exercise in asserting your needs in a safe place.
Can I just forget about counselling and fix it myself?
This is a question that only you can really answer. Counselling is not about fixing something that is broken, it is about learning how to move forward in a way that is both nurturing and satisfying for you.
Will I overwhelm the counsellor?
Counsellors are trained to be with the client no matter what they present. Counsellors also learn and grow, and are alert to continually expanding their own breadth of expertise and wisdom.
Is what I say confidential?
The Clinical Counsellor is ethically responsible for full confidentiality. The only time the confidentiality would be broken is if the client is assessed as being at risk to harm themselves or someone else.
Feel free to contact Suzanne Kyra if you have any more questions.