Counselling

Counselling can and does cover a multitude of different "advice" and expression based therapies. However, in the world off complementary therapies, counselling is seen as advice or guidance that is offered by a knowledgeable, experienced or "specific discipline" qualified person. It is normally used to address an emotional issue or an event that has had a devastating or debilitating effect on a person life.

The aim of the counselling intervention is typically problem solving or solution finding in relation to a situation or predisposition in the patient's life, e.g. this could be the loss of a loved one, a phobia, unemployment, depression etc.

How this counselling is undertaken varies greatly as there are many different types of counsellor, each offering different approaches or ways of helping a patient address their problem.

Popular names for counsellors in this field can include psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, emotional therapists etc.

Many of these therapists will work with patients facing a wide range of different challenges, however some therapists specialise in certain areas like, grief counselling, phobia treatment therapy, family therapy etc.

What to expect from a counsellor and how to find one

Since there are many different types of counsellor, it is important that the right kind of therapist is found for the person and their problem (on an individual basis).

In many cases the relationship between the patient and the counsellor is paramount to the success of the counselling intervention, so considerable care needs to be applied in this "counsellor choosing" phase.

Different therapists work in different ways. Some counsellors encourage a patient to discuss and explore (uncover) an issue, thereby finding their own solution. Others will take more of an advisory role and try to guide the patient through their problem or challenge.

In nearly all cases, the counselling approach to solving an emotional problem tends to be a prolonged one. It will usually result in a number of sessions where the ongoing evaluation of progress by the counsellor will determine when a satisfactory solution has been reached. Sometimes, during the uncovering of one problem, another more serious underlying problem is discovered and this is why some counselling treatments extend over a prolonged period.

Counsellors can be found through complementary therapy clinics and in some countries via a direct doctor's referral.

In finding a counsellor looking for membership or qualifications form the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) can be a source in the UK, whilst the ACA (American Counseling Association) is a similar body in the USA.