A brief overall view of what to expect when coming to a counselling session in Darlington
For some people coming to counselling for the first time can be daunting. You may feel anxious, fearful, happy or sad, a whole range of emotions. You can be assured that you will be greeted in a warm, and friendly way helping you to be at ease in the shortest possible time.
The first session is all about information gathering, and the beginning of the therapeutic relationship. I will typically ask questions, about you and your life, such things as, what brings you to therapy and any symptoms you may be experiencing. The information will help me to make an initial assessment of your present situation.
The contract between counsellor and client
Before counselling can begin, I will ask you to read and understand the written contract and agree to the terms and conditions that is for the benefit of both parties. This helps you as a client to understand what to expect from a counselling session. The contract will contain questions such as your name, address, age, and if you are currently taking medication, GP details. It will also include confidentiality, time boundaries and cancellations.
Confidentiality
The contents of the session are confidential to you and me. I will use your first name, but not use any other identifying details about you. I will make brief notes, after each session, this can help me monitor my work, you will not be identified by these records as they are securely stored. I will also discuss how you would like to be Contact Meed e.g. privately, telephone, email or other, this also protects your identity. In extreme rare circumstances where I believe that you could cause serious harm to yourself or to another person, I may have to Contact Me my supervisor or your GP.
The beginning
The first session is a bit more structured than those that follow. Normally I will leave it up to you to begin a session to ensure we are talking about things that are important to you at the time. It is important to both to develop a relationship of trust. This can be achieved by clearly explaining the counselling contract and coming to an initial agreement. This will include such things as reiterating, confidentiality, discussing times of sessions and importance of punctuality. Highlighting the procedure of cancellation, Illness, and appointments both by you and me the counsellor. Part of this session will be spent on Contact Me details and you will be asked what brings you to counselling.
Middle
Each meeting is an opportunity for you to express the emotions that you may have been avoiding. Together we can explore the areas of your life that you may be struggling with. As your counsellor I will also be able to review concerns and various situations throughout the therapeutic relationship and help you to acknowledge any progress that has been made. In a safe confidential environment I can offer you the opportunity to evaluate yourself and your life so that you can make wise and appropriate decisions about the future. I work in a personal centred way this means working together within a non-judgemental honest and trusting relationship helping you to explore and make sense of your world.
Closing the session
A summary is given at the end of each session this gives a quick review and helps to focus on any key points that may have been forgotten during the session. We will also schedule any further future meetings.
Ending the counselling relationship
Transitions are a natural part of life and because we find comfort in the familiar, they can be sometimes difficult. The ending phase of counselling will have hopefully been planned in advance. This will also give you the chance to express what the counselling process has been for you and what you have gained from it. We can also look at you the client and acknowledge how you may have changed and grow and possibly understand the old and look forward to the new. When the direction in life suddenly becomes clear it is time to make things happen.
General psychological and physical signs of anxiety and depression anxiety
Anxiety disorders can be caused by some factors such as environment, medical issues, brain chemistry, substance abuse, experience, or a combination of them all. Anxiety can be existing and debilitating if it interferes with your daily life, you may need to speak to your GP. Don’t suffer too long it could help to talk to a counsellor who can help you to find ways to deal with stress, and maybe encourage you to find other ways to manage your anxiety. If you identify with several of the signs and symptoms listed below you may be suffering from anxiety.
Intense and sudden feeling of panic, sense of detachment and unreality, irritability or edginess, fearing you may lose control, feeling of impending doom, inner tension, and nervousness, restlessness, sleep disorders, persistent state of apprehension, pounding heart, muscle tension, cramps excessive sweating choking sensation dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea and panic attacks.
Depression
Depression and anxiety are not the same although there are similar elements which explains why the two disorders can often be confused. The symptoms of depression can be complex and vary between two people from mild to severe. As a general rule if you can identify with several of the following signs and symptoms below every day for two weeks you should seek help from your GP.
Energy levels are very low, overwhelmed by everyday tasks, persisting sad mood feeling blue, crying spells, restlessness, irritability, loss of interest. Weight gain or weight loss, feeling helpless and hopeless, you can’t control negative thoughts.
Anxiety and depression together
The symptoms of anxiety are going to be different for everyone because of the nature of the disorders. It is not uncommon for someone with anxiety to also suffer from depression or vice versa. The good news is that they are both treatable separately and together.
How can counselling help with anxiety and depression. Talking openly in a safe environment can help you piece the part of your life that is most important and can allow you to be more aware. Added awareness can often help us to make positive changes, sometimes the smallest change can have a great effect.
General signs of physical and emotional symptoms of bereavement
Grief is a natural response to loss its emotional suffering when something or someone you love has been taken away. You may associate grief with a loved one and this type of grief can be the most intense. Other losses in life that can cause grief are, loss of a relationship, death of a pet, miscarriage, loss of friendship, job or maybe a cherished dream.
Typical symptoms
Shock, numbness, anger or sadness, disturbing dreams, anxiety, insomnia, worry, digestive upset, lack of energy, muscle tightness or body pains. They are all part of the grieving process if left unprocessed such losses can leave emotional scars and long-term difficulties including mental health issues.
Bereavement counselling
The purpose of grief counselling is to help individuals work through their feeling thoughts and memories associated with a loved one by helping you through the grieving process of painful emotions. The normal results from grief counselling is to help to make the relevant adjustments which may help you to discover positive coping mechanisms, including moving on with one’s life recognising or accepting the loss of the individual.
General physical and psychological signs of stress
The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you, it helps you stay focused and energetic which is known as the fight or flight, Hormones are released into our body to allow us to deal with the immediate problem, as in the days when we had to hunt for food, run away as quickly as possible. Mild symptoms of stress are usually unavoidable. Daily stresses and modern day living, because there are many manifestations of stress build up can go unnoticed. In addition, the physical impact of stress, the psychological impact can be significant and result in potential conditions such as anxiety disorders and depression. If you have suffered severe symptoms every day for two weeks you should seek help from your GP.
Typical symptoms of stress
Palpitations, heart racing, irritability, smoking and drinking more. Headaches, feeling anxious and tense, fainting, pain and tightness in chest, indigestion
Stress counselling
Counselling is often useful at assisting people in limiting the negative effects of stress and to recognise the major courses and help them to make changes that will help them react less to stressful situations.
General signs and symptoms of low self esteem
We can all experience problems with low self-esteem at certain times of our lives. Self-esteem is how much we feel valued loved and accepted by others and how much we love and value ourselves. Low self-esteem can be associated with many illnesses, and can seem like a vicious circle, where the lower your opinion of yourself gets the more anxious and depressed you become. The signs can vary some of them apply to limited people, for instance people who have been bullied, or sexually and mentally abused, they may have weight or image issues. The attacks can be triggered and often occur whenever a person with self-esteem thinks they are not good enough or they may feel they have said something stupid, been rude or incorrect and judged by others.
Typical symptoms
Social withdrawal, reluctance to trust your own opinion, treating yourself badly but not others, eating disorders, depressed or bouts of sadness, anxiety and emotional anxiety, expecting little of oneself, inability to accept complements.
Counselling
Self-esteem counselling can help you explore your hopes and expectations and explore hidden feelings also support you on your journey to develop your inner strength and need for additional information.
Life coaching, Darlington
Clients who do not perceive themselves in need of counselling therapy may prefer life coaching. This is a valuable and useful way for individuals to explore issues and change in their lives. Life coaching is focused on setting goals, the future, and making positive change in your life. Many people come to a coach looking to achieve more and feel happy, or perhaps are looking to improve a relationship in which they are having problems, whether it regards spouse, girlfriend, or boyfriend, or want to realise their hopes and dreams. Life coaching is not recommended for people with mental health problems, it is suitable for people who are generally feeling well but have a sense of discontentment, frustration, unhappiness in their lives and want to make changes.
