What do people bring to counselling?

It can sometimes be helpful to talk through a problem with a professional counsellor in a confidential and safe environment and Waterside Counselling offers such a space. Counselling can help with many areas in life, for example - addictions; bereavement; bullying; work, career or money worries; depression; families and relationships; fertility issues; pre and post-natal depression or stress to name a few.

Why do people go to counselling?

Most of us will go through a difficult time at some point in our lives, sometimes as a result of past traumas or sometimes in relation to current circumstances or problems. Talking through these issues, in confidence, with someone who takes the time to really listen and who tries to be as fully present and non-judgmental can be really helpful.

We find our way to counselling for many different reasons. Some because they feel they have exhausted their existing support systems and that their friends and family have "got fed up listening". Others seek the confidentiality of a professional relationship or the need to talk to someone who is trained to listen. Counselling is not about giving advice so your counsellor won't tell you what to do but will always work with you as a unique individual.

What help can the counsellor offer?

Your counsellor's role is to provide a safe space for your own self-exploration and to develop a therapeutic relationship with you that will enable and foster your healing and growth. This self exploration can help you develop an increased knowledge of yourself whilst at the same time helping you become aware of your own inner resources and capacity for change, in response to the challenges facing you.

How long does it take?

Some people find a series of short-term sessions of only a few weeks are helpful in identifying their issues and finding a way forward that works for them.  Others find a longer-term, more open-ended approach better suits them in working through their more deep-seated issues.