What is Counseling?
Counseling is a relationship of trust and empathy, of care and compassion, of understand and hope. By using
knowledge and experience of how the mind, heart and soul work, of how they are wounded and broken, and how they are healed to help
bring wholeness, life and joy.
Counseling will help you work through the issues that are keeping you from the life you long for.
By compassionate listening, careful, non-threatening discussion a place of safety and trust will be made where you can dare ask the
questions you are afraid to ask, and talk about the issues of your heart.
What happens in a counseling session?
When you
come for counseling the first time you will be asked to sill in a basic intake form as you would the first time
you visit a new physician. Then you will be asked what brought you to counseling and what you want to get out of therapy. How
much you say or don't say is up to you; you will not be forced or coerced into revealing more than you feel safe talking about. Ina
sense, you are in charge of the process, for you must feel safe enough to move ahead, and that takes time and work. Each time we meet
we will talk more about the issues you face. We will look for the reasons behind the problems you struggle with, for there is
where healing takes place.
What happens in a counseling session
if I have been the victim of abuse?
This is most
important in counseling victims of abuse: you will never be made to feel powerless as you were when you were abused. You can
talk as much or as little as you want about your abuse. As time goes on and you feel safer, you will feel more able to talk about your
past. The path to healing is a hard one, but I have been on that path with many people before you; I know the dark places and
the twists and turns. Most of all I know there is healing and there is hope! Even though it seems impossible now, you can be the whole,
healthy and happy person you were meant to be!
What happens in a counseling session
when my problems do not include abuse?
If
abuse is not the issue you face then the basic plan is the same, however the therapeutic plan is designed specifically for your issue
or issues. There no one size fits all way of dealing with problems, so you will be treated as a unique individual with your own issues
and a plan designed for you. Counseling in more than just giving advice, rather, counseling is looking for the causes of your problems
and helping heal those wounds that cause the behavior and patterns the brought you in for help.