Gabriela Wright
MBACP UKRCP

We all have times in our lives when we feel distressed, or overwhelmed and it can be a relief to talk to someone outside the situation.

Therapy provides a confidential space where we can work together to explore alternative ways of thinking and re-acting, which can then allow you to move forward again in life in a way that is hard to do alone.

Counselling can help with relationship difficulties, stress, anger, lack of confidence, low self esteem, depression, anxiety, loss and many other issues.  Sometimes people feel that life lacks purpose or they need a new sense of direction.

You may be unsure of what the problem is but feel the need to talk to someone, or you may have a specific problem that you would like to address. You do not need to know exactly what the problem is, only that there are things you would like to change.

A counsellor listens carefully and relects back to you on what you say, helping you to express your feelings. Sometimes, enabling you to make links between present difficulties and past events can help you look at the patterns in your life from a different perspective. The aim is to help you make changes, or come to terms with things that can't be changed.

By exploring your difficulties you can start to understand yourself better and this self awareness can bring insights, solutions and change. Learning to draw on your own resources and strengths - that you may not have been aware that you had - helps you to approach life in a more fulfilling way.

Counselling is something that most of us could benefit from at certain stages in our lives.

Working with a properly qualified counsellor is essential (BACP accreditation is a good yardstick) and to feel comfortable with the counsellor would enable you to really explore your issues. The BACP website has lots of useful information about counselling. See: www.bacp.co.uk

Here are some of the issues that counselling can help address:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Bereavement
• Stress
• Relationship difficulties
• Abuse of all kinds
• Sense of underachievement or dissatisfaction
• Loss
• Low self-esteem
• Lack of self confidence
• Work issues
• Life or career transitions
• Panic Attacks
• Trauma
• Blocked sexual feelings
• Phobias
• Pain that cannot be medically explained
• Health related issues

Becoming aware of unhelpful patterns of behaviour is the first step towards change; which most of us find difficult to do on our own.

Therapy is not only for those with problems, it can benefit anyone who would like to learn more about themselves and their relationships.

Couples are enabled to discuss problems on neutral ground in the supportive environment of the counselling setting. This can help address difficulties, improve communication and to change unhelpful patterns of behaviour.