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Counselling

What Is Counselling?

Counselling is when a trained professional helps individuals explore and understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in a safe, confidential environment. It aims to support individuals in addressing personal challenges, managing mental health issues, improving relationships, and fostering personal growth. Counselling can be offered for a variety of reasons, including:

Mental health concerns: such as anxiety, depression, stress, or trauma.

Relationship issues: conflicts in romantic relationships, family dynamics, or friendships.

Life transitions: adjusting to changes like moving, changing jobs, or experiencing grief or loss.

Personal development: building self-esteem, confidence, and coping strategies.

Addiction or substance use: seeking help to address unhealthy behaviours related to alcohol or drugs.

Counselling can take different forms, such as individual, couples, or family therapy, and may use various approaches depending on the counsellor’s training, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), person-centred therapy, or psychodynamic therapy.

Counselling can support you with:
  • Mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
  • Distressing physical health conditions, such as infertility.
  • Significant life events, such as bereavement, relationship breakdowns, or work-related stress.
  • Overwhelming emotions, such as low self-esteem or anger.
  • Personal matters, including questions about sexual identity.

Various types of counselling are available, but all involve discussing your feelings and emotions with a trained therapist. They will listen attentively and provide support without judgment or criticism. The therapist may help you better understand your feelings and thought patterns, guiding you to discover solutions to challenges. However, they typically won't offer direct advice or tell you what to do.

Counselling can be delivered in various ways, including:
  • Face-to-face sessions
  • Group therapy
  • Over the phone or remotely
  • Through email
  • Online via live chat services

Counselling Services You Can Access

  • BetterHelp and Talkspace: These platforms offer licensed therapists for various issues and are accessible via text, video, or audio sessions. They are known for flexibility and ease of access.

  • SilverCloud Health provides evidence-based, on-demand digital programmes for conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress. These programmes are available through some GPs and healthcare plans in the UK. They combine self-help tools with professional guidance​.

  • Ieso Digital Health: Offers live text-based therapy with trained professionals, focusing on conditions such as anxiety and depression. It enables users to track progress and access resources for up to 20 years post-treatment​