Counselling & Psychotherapy
About counselling...
Counselling is a general term used to describe a situation where two people meet, in confidence, to talk about a problem or difficulty
that one of them is experiencing.
In this context, the ‘counsellor’, who generally will have undertaken a course of professional
training, offers you the ‘client’ – the person experiencing a problem or difficulty – time and space to explore your issues and concerns,
in a safe, confidential, impartial, no-pressure environment.
As a counsellor I don’t make judgements, I don’t aim to fix/solve your
problems, or tell you “what to do.” Rather, my role is to support you as you explore the difficulties you are facing. The counselling
process is very much about enabling you to understand what is happening to you so that you can identify alternatives and make informed
choices or changes.
Although I have various skills to assist you, it is your courage and willingness to explore, often very painful
issues, which makes the difference.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Sometimes, people use the word therapy or psychotherapy in a similar context. There is unfortunately no agreed definition of either
counselling or therapy, though I make the distinction that therapy or psychotherapy tends to look more deeply at the underlying patterns
revealed by the current issue or problem.
Neither of these distinctions however should affect the quality of care you are offered
by a professional working in this area. You set the agenda and as your counsellor / psychotherapist I will always respond to your
needs.
(C) Alan Robinson 2011
Alan Robinson MBACP (Snr. Accred)
" The future doesn't have to be the same as the past..."