What happens when someone comes for counselling?

When the client and counsellor meet for the first time it is an opportunity for them to look together at what the client wants to get out of the counselling. The counsellor will also say what they can offer (this is often called a contract) and will explain that what is said in a counselling session is confidential. This means that the counsellor will not talk to anyone about the client or what they have said, except for supervision purposes (making sure that they are offering a good service). The only time that the counsellor would want to break confidentiality is when they were concerned for the client’s safety or the safety of someone else, and they would talk this through with the client.

The counsellor will then give the client some space to talk about whatever feels relevant, and will try to listen and understand without telling the client what to do.

At the end of the session they will arrange to meet in a week or sometimes a fortnight’s time, or say their goodbyes if the work feels finished. The end of counselling is usually something that is agreed together when it feels that the client has got to a point that they are happy with.

If you would like to talk to someone but are not sure about meeting face-to-face look at the e-motion page

If you would like to talk to someone but you don’t live in Congleton borough see the links page