What you can do to get the most out of your sessions
Counselling requires a great deal of work on the part of the client. The counsellor is the facilitator of change. This process can be very empowering as you work through some of the challenges in your life. There are some things that you can do to help make the sessions most effective.
Commitment
We live in an “instant” society. This is not the case when making life changes, changing your life takes thought, time and sometimes the assistance of another. Successful counselling will require a commitment from you, a commitment of time, energy, effort, honesty and openness. It will require a willingness to look at your life, to decide what you are ready and willing to change, and commitment to make the changes that you are able.
Reflection
A counsellor is not a problem solver; a counsellor is a consultant or a facilitator. It will be extremely helpful if you spent some time before your sessions to consider your priorities, your goals and what you would like to focus on. It will also be important to spend some time reflecting on the session after you leave.
Journaling
Some people find writing down their thoughts and feelings helpful. Making notes or writing down some ideas you have in-between sessions might queue you to things you want to focus on during your next session. It is also helpful to record successes and changes as well as areas you are still struggling with. Changes happen in small steps, it may be easy to overlook small successes you have accomplished in-between sessions, but by jotting things down you will have a visual record. You will also be able to celebrate and discuss the little changes with your counsellor the next time you meet.
Feedback
After a few sessions and every few session it will be important to review how the process is working for you. It is important to share with your counsellor, let them know what things you have found helpful. It is just as important to share any concerns or questions you may have.
The Right Headspace
We all have busy hectic lives. Coming to counselling shouldn’t be yet another chore. Take some time before you come to a session and focus, relax, leave all the hustle and bustle outside. If you feel stressed and distracted when your session starts, your sessions will not be as effective. Give yourself lot of coming and going time, this is a time for you, a time to focus on you and your needs.
Homework!
Sometimes, not always, but sometimes a counsellor will give you ‘homework’. This may be one of many things, for example, an article to read, a worksheet, a question to think about. These are often helpful strategies, a way to continue in-between session.
Recognize and Reward
Making changes in your life is hard. Take time to give something back to yourself, recognize your hard work and reward yourself. This can be whatever works for you, take some time to soak in the tub and think about all the changes you have made, go for a walk, whatever it is, but remember to be good to yourself.
Counselling requires a great deal of work on the part of the client. The counsellor is the facilitator of change. This process can be very empowering as you work through some of the challenges in your life. There are some things that you can do to help make the sessions most effective.
Commitment
We live in an “instant” society. This is not the case when making life changes, changing your life takes thought, time and sometimes the assistance of another. Successful counselling will require a commitment from you, a commitment of time, energy, effort, honesty and openness. It will require a willingness to look at your life, to decide what you are ready and willing to change, and commitment to make the changes that you are able.
Reflection
A counsellor is not a problem solver; a counsellor is a consultant or a facilitator. It will be extremely helpful if you spent some time before your sessions to consider your priorities, your goals and what you would like to focus on. It will also be important to spend some time reflecting on the session after you leave.
Journaling
Some people find writing down their thoughts and feelings helpful. Making notes or writing down some ideas you have in-between sessions might queue you to things you want to focus on during your next session. It is also helpful to record successes and changes as well as areas you are still struggling with. Changes happen in small steps, it may be easy to overlook small successes you have accomplished in-between sessions, but by jotting things down you will have a visual record. You will also be able to celebrate and discuss the little changes with your counsellor the next time you meet.
Feedback
After a few sessions and every few session it will be important to review how the process is working for you. It is important to share with your counsellor, let them know what things you have found helpful. It is just as important to share any concerns or questions you may have.
The Right Headspace
We all have busy hectic lives. Coming to counselling shouldn’t be yet another chore. Take some time before you come to a session and focus, relax, leave all the hustle and bustle outside. If you feel stressed and distracted when your session starts, your sessions will not be as effective. Give yourself lot of coming and going time, this is a time for you, a time to focus on you and your needs.
Homework!
Sometimes, not always, but sometimes a counsellor will give you ‘homework’. This may be one of many things, for example, an article to read, a worksheet, a question to think about. These are often helpful strategies, a way to continue in-between session.
Recognize and Reward
Making changes in your life is hard. Take time to give something back to yourself, recognize your hard work and reward yourself. This can be whatever works for you, take some time to soak in the tub and think about all the changes you have made, go for a walk, whatever it is, but remember to be good to yourself.
