Counselling is a special type of conversation that helps people solve problems. Simple as that. When it is done well, it makes a person’s life happier and more enjoyable.
Counselling can help with pretty much any issue. But it is important that the counsellor is competent and knowledgeable about a particular issue.
Some common situations that I help people resolve include:
Relationships. At some stage, most of us face issues with people such as partners, children, parents, siblings, etc. Counselling can be especially helpful at times of transition, such as divorce or separation, or when older parents start to become frail and need to be cared for. Coping when kids seem to change, such as when they commence adolescence, can also be made easier with some intelligent and experienced counselling. And if there is a bigger day to day adjustment to make than the one that happens when your adult kids move out, I’d like to see it!
Loss. The death of a loved one can be challenging in any number of ways. Spending time talking about your loss in a sensitive and caring way is always helpful. This can be especially the case where the death was unexpected, or in some way traumatic.
Disability, injury or sickness. Life happens. People have accidents, get sick, receive an unwanted diagnosis, etc. And it might not just be you to whom this occurs – it might be someone you love, such as a parent, a spouse or a child. Adjusting to your new reality is often made much easier with some competent counselling.
Financial Pressures. Most people face financial difficulties at some stage in their life. And these difficulties can be enormously stressful. Talking through the issues with a person who understands finances can be especially helpful when these times come.
Work. There is really no end to the number of challenging issues that work can present. Dealing with difficult bosses or colleagues, the simple stress that comes from too many demands, etc, are all things that can be made better by speaking with a counsellor.
A Sudden Loss of Work. Losing a job unexpectedly, due to things like redundancy or a business going bad, can be extremely stressful and anxiety-provoking. It can also be very isolating. Good counselling can help you adjust and make solid plans for your new situation.
Self-Employment. Self-employment is a special type of work brings with it a special range of problems. Stress, financial challenges, staff management, the inability to switch off or even take a day off, etc. Speaking with a counsellor with a long history of self-employment can be especially helpful in solving these problems. (Speak to your accountant, but if the issues discussed are business focussed, the fees may even be tax-deductible).
Retirement. Retirement can be tricky, whether it is planned or unplanned, wanted or unwanted. In countries like Australia, roughly 50% or retirements are unplanned or unexpected – we just don’t see them coming, or, if we do, they come sooner than we want. Even for people who do choose to stop work, ending this time of their life often brings a range of unexpected consequences that they need to adjust to. Helping people adjust is one of the core tasks of good counselling.
General Responsibility! Many of the people I help are people who just have a lot on their shoulders (family, work, money, health) and are starting to feel worn down. Talking through with someone who has been approximately there and done something much like that can be enormously helpful (I know it has been for me!)
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If you have never spoken to a counsellor before, please do not worry. It is the my job to help you feel at ease and to help you get the most from my help. I even offer the first session for free so that you can be sure that you feel comfortable and that I will be the right fit for you. (And if that session is all you have, that is fine – so long as it helps I will be happy!)