Why is it always so difficult to take that first step towards seeing a counsellor?

Why is it so hard to make that first call?

We often find ourselves in situations which are less than ideal.  We may be left feeling sad, angry or living in a state of general unhappiness.  And more often than not it niggles, and we don’t know what’s causing it.

In my experience, people do not seek out counselling when they are feeling like this.  They are more likely to seek counselling only when it reaches crisis point.

We are happy to spend money to go out for dinner or buy ourselves something nice to wear to make ourselves feel better.   Yet when it comes to spending on counselling, it seems it is only when we feel there is no other option.

I imagine the reason for this is that there is no guarantee you will feel better after one session of counselling.  Often you might fear that something you don’t want to talk about will surface.

Counselling is driven by the client’s needs, not the therapist’s agenda …

What if you could think of counselling as something that can help you feel better?

What I think most people don’t understand, is counselling allows the client to decide what happens in session.  Counselling is about the relationship between two people; the therapist and the client.  It is the client that determines what happens in the relationship and what he/she wants to discuss, which is why it is referred to as person-centred.  Not only this, but the client is heard in a non-judgemental space that provides insight and new perspectives.  And if the client does want the therapist to be more directive, or provide more tools, or go deeper, then this is also driven by the client.

For most of my clients, one session may uncover more issues, or insights than they were expecting.  The act of making that first phone call or sending that first email to set up an appointment is all it takes.  You can talk in a supportive environment, and begin the process of moving from feeling stuck, to moving forward.