Seeking professional support is a huge step for anyone. If you’ve looked for a counsellor before, you know how difficult it is to even book an appointment, let alone see the therapist. As challenging as this process can be though, counselling is a safe and constructive method for finding support as you go through any number of issues.
When you look for a therapist, the names, qualifications and therapy techniques can all get a bit confusing, and this can make it really difficult to find the best professional to help you. Often, you don’t really know if the counsellor is best suited to you until you meet them. Here are six questions to ask yourself that will show you if you’ve found the right therapist for you.
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Do I feel safe?
You should feel safe and secure when you see a counsellor. Ask yourself: do I feel relaxed in their presence? Do I feel judged or misunderstood by them? You can choose to see a therapist of a certain gender, speciality or background in order to achieve this, and can assess how secure you feel once you meet them.
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Do I feel understood?
You will mesh better with a counsellor who speaks like you, understands your colloquialisms, and frames their words in a way that makes sense. Don’t feel compelled to understand professional jargon, the best counsellor for you will understand how you tick, and will speak to you like an equal.
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Do I leave feeling empowered?
Counselling sessions can be challenging, and when you’ve discussed certain issues it makes sense that you will feel emotionally exhausted. However, a session should always leave you feeling empowered, like you’ve accomplished something, or have found the tools to achieve something new in your life. If you leave feeling belittled and dehumanised, they’re probably not the right counsellor for you.
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Do I feel pressure to come back?
Seeking professional help is a long-term process, and once you’ve found the right counsellor, you will establish a routine of how often and when you see them. That being said, if you feel as though the counsellor gives you no option but to come back, they are not helping you. A healthy professional relationship has open communication, and a good counsellor will give you the option of reassessing if and when you want to return in the first few sessions.
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Do I see a difference in my life?
It will take approximately six sessions to gather if you really connect with your counsellor. In that time, you should begin to see some changes in your behaviour and thought patterns. It is not a counsellor’s responsibility to ‘fix’ you, but to help you find the tools to experience change and wellness. If you are not seeing this development in your life, ask yourself: is the counsellor helping me, and am I completely participating in the process?
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Do they listen to me?
A good counsellor won’t tell you what to do. They may give advice, but their aim is to help you find answers yourself. If a counsellor talks more than they listen, if they seem uncomfortable in your silence, or if they put words in your mouth without your feedback, they may not be the right one for you.
Do you need a safe place to discuss your wellbeing? Would you like to see a counsellor? Here’s what you need to do: contact WatersedgeCounselling on 0434 337 245 for a FREE 10-minute phone consultation on how we can best help you, or press book now.
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