How Does Counselling Work?
First of all the client must recognize the need for and have desire to change their lives, the counsellor is the facilitator of change.
Small changes over time can make a big difference. Focusing on small changes one by one, just like putting one foot in front of the other is the path to bigger changes. Everyone is different; everyone has a different perspective and different goals. The types of changes that may occur will depend on your personal goals and the direction you wish to take your life. Generally counselling may help you to reduce self-defeating or destructive behaviour patterns. You may feel more confident, more self-aware and more centered. You may see an improvement in your relationships.
What to expect when you come to River Wood Counselling
Before attending a session I will ask you fill out an intake form, this is a general information form that gives me an idea of where you at and what your goals are. The first couple of sessions will be about establishing a relationship between you and the counsellor, assessing your needs, your perspective and to develop the goals for the sessions.
My goals for your sessions are to be sure that you feel validated and understood. Together we will identify and connect with your personal strengths. We will look at finding new ways of seeing yourself and your situation and to learn how to respond in effective ways to different emotions and situations.
My style is one that is gentle, but thought provoking and focused. I will ask some hard questions and have the expectation that you will try to answer fully and honestly. Successful counselling requires the client be dedicated to openness and honesty. A good counsellor is in tune with the client. Successful counselling is a partnership that involves a great deal of work from both the client and the counsellor. It is important to understand that having the openness to look at your life, identify the changes that may need to make and then committing to making them is hard.
Everyone gets stuck sometimes, stuck in the way we think, in the way we feel or stuck in behaviour patterns. Sometimes we need the assistance of someone with a different perspective to help us change out patterns of thought, feelings or behaviour.
Before we can change out patterns we must be ready. Pushing people to change usually does not work. A counsellor’s role is to help clients identify the areas of their lives that they want to change and are ready to change. Change requires commitment and work on the part of the client.
Although services are solution focused and are based on present issues sometimes it is helpful to explore past experiences and relationships. Sometimes looking at patterns of past behaviours and relationships can help to give insight to current issues. However sessions will always come back to a focus on the present and future.
As a counsellor I do not give advice to clients about what decisions to make. I do not tell people what to do. I will give my perspective on a situation and give feedback to potential solutions or actions that a client is considering.
I am committed to starting the process where you are. Why come to counselling? Why not? If you are feeling stuck, if you feel the need for support or for another perspective then counselling may be for you. Sessions are designed to help you live your life the way you want to, to help you find the means to live more fully, to feel better and to strengthen your ability to connect with yourself and in turn with others.
First of all the client must recognize the need for and have desire to change their lives, the counsellor is the facilitator of change.
Small changes over time can make a big difference. Focusing on small changes one by one, just like putting one foot in front of the other is the path to bigger changes. Everyone is different; everyone has a different perspective and different goals. The types of changes that may occur will depend on your personal goals and the direction you wish to take your life. Generally counselling may help you to reduce self-defeating or destructive behaviour patterns. You may feel more confident, more self-aware and more centered. You may see an improvement in your relationships.
What to expect when you come to River Wood Counselling
Before attending a session I will ask you fill out an intake form, this is a general information form that gives me an idea of where you at and what your goals are. The first couple of sessions will be about establishing a relationship between you and the counsellor, assessing your needs, your perspective and to develop the goals for the sessions.
My goals for your sessions are to be sure that you feel validated and understood. Together we will identify and connect with your personal strengths. We will look at finding new ways of seeing yourself and your situation and to learn how to respond in effective ways to different emotions and situations.
My style is one that is gentle, but thought provoking and focused. I will ask some hard questions and have the expectation that you will try to answer fully and honestly. Successful counselling requires the client be dedicated to openness and honesty. A good counsellor is in tune with the client. Successful counselling is a partnership that involves a great deal of work from both the client and the counsellor. It is important to understand that having the openness to look at your life, identify the changes that may need to make and then committing to making them is hard.
Everyone gets stuck sometimes, stuck in the way we think, in the way we feel or stuck in behaviour patterns. Sometimes we need the assistance of someone with a different perspective to help us change out patterns of thought, feelings or behaviour.
Before we can change out patterns we must be ready. Pushing people to change usually does not work. A counsellor’s role is to help clients identify the areas of their lives that they want to change and are ready to change. Change requires commitment and work on the part of the client.
Although services are solution focused and are based on present issues sometimes it is helpful to explore past experiences and relationships. Sometimes looking at patterns of past behaviours and relationships can help to give insight to current issues. However sessions will always come back to a focus on the present and future.
As a counsellor I do not give advice to clients about what decisions to make. I do not tell people what to do. I will give my perspective on a situation and give feedback to potential solutions or actions that a client is considering.
I am committed to starting the process where you are. Why come to counselling? Why not? If you are feeling stuck, if you feel the need for support or for another perspective then counselling may be for you. Sessions are designed to help you live your life the way you want to, to help you find the means to live more fully, to feel better and to strengthen your ability to connect with yourself and in turn with others.
