The Counselling Process
For those of you that are unfamiliar, the counselling process may seem daunting. It’s perfectly ok to feel uncertain – it’s human nature to fear the unknown. Let’s step through some of the things you can expect when engaging with a therapist.
Firstly, every practitioner has different styles and backgrounds, so compatibility is a critical factor for your successful outcome. Some may specialise in marriage and relationship counselling, whilst others focus on fields like anxiety, depression and trauma. Finding one that is right for you may not happen on your first attempt, and you are under no obligation to continue if you feel the one you’ve selected is not the right fit. Simply let them know you won’t be attending further appointments and search elsewhere for a counsellor more aligned with your needs.
Most practices will ask you to fill in some of your personal information as you begin your process, which may include some topline details about the issues you wish to address in your sessions. These notes are stored by law in secure servers or cabinets that no one except your therapist has access to, except for being subpoenaed for serious criminal investigations. You will be asked for payment either upfront or at the conclusion of the appointment (unless you have partaken in a subscription) and depending on the scale of service you may be eligible for health rebates.
Once your session has commenced your therapist will walk you through your rights to confidentiality, as well as the nature of incidents disclosed that would warrant mandatory reporting. If it’s your first meeting, they will also give you a brief rundown of their qualifications and history before opening the dialogue for you to begin. They will ask open questions to probe, closed questions to clarify details and may ask you to expand on certain points to explore the emotions associated with what you are describing. It is not their job to make decisions for you, but to reflect and comb through everything you bring to create greater understanding and perspective.
Many things can happen as you delve deeper on your exploration of self. You may stumble across some repressed memories, discover and heal some wounds and learn to manage your emotional triggers. Your therapist is there to guide your journey and help you organise your mind space, and you can rest assured that those in the profession of mental health are highly dedicated and intuitive people.
Time spent on the wellness journey always differs between individuals. Some may feel restored with just a few sessions, for others the quest is lifelong. The only thing that matters is that you are there when you need it most, and all practitioners give adequate notice or make alternate arrangements if their availability changes. Remember that your chosen therapy outlet is also a business, and genuine feedback and review of their service can greatly help their mission. Don’t hesitate to refer a friend either, difficult conversations can initiate important breakthroughs.