About Counselling

There are many different kinds of counselling , and there is no clear distinction between the words counselling and psychotherapy, however both involve talking with a trained person in a focused way about whatever is troubling you.  To see the kinds of counselling provided at the Phoenix please click here.

At the Phoenix we start with an initial meeting where you will meet the counsellor who will ask some basic questions about you and what you want from the counselling.  It is also an opportunity to decide whether you would like to go ahead with any more sessions.

Sessions usually last about an hour and are in private comfortable surroundings.

Dispelling Some Myths

A common myth about counselling is that it is only for people with serious emotional problems. Seeking counselling may be seen as a weakness or that there is something “wrong” with us. One of the most common ways we try to manage sensitive feelings is distracting ourselves with constant activity. It actually takes great courage to embark on a process which requires us to acknowledge and be aware of painful experiences. The following scenarios are very effectively helped by the counselling process.

Successful People

Successful people are more likely to be those who take care of, and manage well, the way they think and feel. The self-doubt of negative thoughts can affect us all from time to time and top professionals in all fields know the importance of managing this and many have coaches and other therapists to improve and maintain their mental wellbeing.

Ordinary Life

As well as aiding top performance counselling can help with many ordinary life transitions such as bereavement or adjusting to new surroundings. It can be useful in managing our work/life balance, as well as effectively helping us with academic difficulties, low self-esteem, communication, or assertiveness and relationship problems.

Spiritual Growth

As we mature, personal and spiritual development often becomes really important in our lives. Particularly in mid-life we may start to wonder who we are and become aware of a growing need to be true to ourselves. Counselling is an excellent way to support our need to be our true self. The expanding of awareness that comes with focussing on ourselves addresses many of life’s greatest questions – What is the meaning of life? Who am I? Why do I do what I do? It also helps us look at life’s greatest dilemmas – mortality, freedom, meaninglessness and the fact that we are all essentially alone.

Important changes often take time and energy in order to occur and although many people feel some relief and improved mood after only a couple of sessions, counselling will not provide a quick fix to your problems. It can help you work toward meaningful life change over the long term, in addition to helping you manage current difficulties more effectively.

Counselling may be beneficial for dealing with a range of situations,  and needs such as: –

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Addiction
• Relationship difficulties
• Abuse
• Spiritual development
• Trauma
• Obsessive and compulsive behaviour
• Eating disorders
• Loss of identity and purpose
• Maintaining good mental Health