Counselling is a collaborative process, which entails the development of a confidential helping relationship based on mutual trust and understanding. It involves open and honest discussion of feelings, behaviours, relationships and experiences with an objective professional person in a safe and accepting environment. The counsellor acts as a facilitator to help clients sort through their concerns, clarify issues that cause emotional distress and find realistic solutions of their problems. Counselling is not just giving advice. It is an effort to enhance a person's ability to make healthy choices and to take appropriate action in different situations.
Everyone feels stressed out, depressed, angry, anxious, or confused at some point in life. Sometimes, a good friend or a relative can help. However, there are times when the usual ways of handling problems do not work well for some reason and they become too overwhelming. These are the times when one should seek professional help or counselling to understand and cope with issues that affect emotional well-being and interfere with personal goals and occupational success.
People may decide to seek counselling when they notice having one or more of the following:
Although not being able to "solve" all their problems, counselling may help people to:
Seeking counselling at the right time may help to prevent minor concerns from becoming major ones by learning new ways to cope with difficult or unfamiliar situations. Utilizing personal strengths and identifying limitations may also make individuals capable of making a more balanced and functional adjustment to life.
Confidential: The information gathered during counselling sessions is strictly confidential and is not divulged at any stage without the CP's written consent. If essential, a summary of problem areas which require management's attention may be reported to the concerned authorities, but no direct identification is made.
Voluntary: Initiating counselling and remaining in it is always voluntary.
Free: The services provided are free of charge so there is no out-of-pocket expense.
Myth: Counselling is only for people who are "crazy"
Fact: While counselling does deal with people who have emotional problems, most people who seek counselling do not have a mental illness. Everyone has problems at one time or another and sometimes people come to a point where they are not able to find a solution to their problem on their own. It doesn't mean they are crazy. It means they are human.
Myth: Seeking counselling is a sign of weakness.
Fact: There is nothing weak about a person who seeks counselling. In fact, it takes courage to explore sensitive feelings and painful experiences. The individuals who enter counselling are taking the first step in resolving their difficulties.
Myth: The counsellor will tell you what to do and how to "fix" your problems.
Fact: Counselling is not a "quick fix" to cure your problems. The counsellor is there to help you explore your options and to assist you in achieving the goals "you" have set.
Myth: The counsellor cannot understand you unless he/she has had similar experiences or is of the same background.
Fact: Counsellors are trained to be sensitive to and respectful of individual differences, including the specific concerns of students with regard to age, gender, racial/ethnic, cultural, religious, and socio-economic issues.