Choosing The Right Counsellor For You

There are many different approaches to counselling. However, research has repeatedly shown that the single most important thing in successful therapy is the quality of the relationship between the therapist and the client. Its vital that you feel confident in the ability of your counsellor to help you. There are lots of qualified counsellors to choose from - only stick with the counsellor you initially choose if you have belief in that counsellor.

Where To Look For A Counsellor

  • If you live within reasonable travelling distance of HINCKLEY, Leicestershire LE10 0FP please contact me as part of your search. I offer a free half hour discussion to help clients to make up their mind before booking paid sessions.
  • You can look in Yellow Pages under 'Counselling & Advice'
  • You can also visit Yell.Com
  • If you know the speciality of the kind of counsellor you are looking for you can contact the professional body for that type of counselling.
  • You may also be able to get the kind of help you need FREE OF CHARGE from one of the helping organisations which specialise in your kind of problem.

I have compiled a list of professional bodies, a list of local helping organisations, and a list of national helping organisations.

Questions To Ask When Choosing A Counsellor:

  1. How much experience have you had/
  2. What training have you had?
  3. What counselling professional bodies do you belong to?
  4. How often do you receive professional supervision? [All ethical counsellors are required to receive regular supervision]
  5. What approach to counselling do you use? [There are many different approaches to counselling all of which work well in some situations but none of which work well in all situations. Read about some of the main approaches]
  6. How many sessions do you think I might need? [The Counsellor is unlikely to be able to give you an answer to this until you have met face to face]
  7. What does each session cost, and how long does a session last? [Some counsellors, including me, offer a free half hour session to help you make your mind up if you want to work with them]

If the Counsellor appears to resent any of these questions, or if you find any of the answers unconvincing - I strongly recommend that you look elsewhere.

Next chapter...

» The main approaches to counselling and psychotherapy

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