Counselling is a professional relationship between a trained counsellor and a client wherein the former offers a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for the latter to work towards gaining insights and solutions to his/her problems.
It is an intense process that places importance on the quality of therapeutic relationship between the client and the counsellor, to be built on empathic understanding, respect, genuineness, non-judgemental atmosphere and positive regard.
During the sessions, the counsellor creates a safe space for the client and utilises the knowledge of her theoretical orientation and various counselling tools and techniques. The client and the counsellor understand the problem better to collaboratively set goals for therapy. The client then explores, evaluates, clarifies and understands his/ her patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses these insights and in-built strengths to make the desired change. The tools and techniques offered by the counsellor are also utilized by the client for the same.
When to Seek Counselling
When one needs to deal with an immediate psychological/ emotional problem
When one needs to explore their inner world for emotional growth
When capacities responding to demands of life are strained
When natural support systems are not available
What Counselling is not
Giving advice or guidance
Offering instant solutions to problems
Being judgemental
'Just talking'
Imposing counsellor’s values, morals and beliefs on the client