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It is important that a client feels comfortable and safe with their
counsellor. All counsellors understand this and encourage clients to
select somebody appropriate. This may mean speaking to or visiting more
than one therapist initially before beginning counselling. The length
of time a client stays in counselling varies with each individual, depending
on their needs and expectations. Deep rooted problems may require long
term work - an hour a week for several months - while specific issues
can sometimes be addressed in a few sessions.
All counsellors can be approached by telephone or email
and will be happy to answer any questions about their practice or their
theoretical base.
There are many different models of counselling and psychotherapy
which are usually referred to as talking therapies. Although counsellors'
style and theoretical approach may differ, they share core empathic
values and, in general, the theoretical approach is less important than
the quality of the counsellor. The final judge of whether a counsellor
is right for you can only be yourself and you must trust your own instincts.
Talk to a counsellor and don't be afraid to ask questions or request
more information. Then ask yourself if you would feel comfortable telling
this person intimate details of your life, do you feel safe with them,
do you like their manner towards you and could you be completely open
with them?
Sussex Counselling's membership includes practitioners
of all the major theoretical approaches. In order to help users of the
directory identify these, we have defined the most common approaches
below.
is based on the belief that behaviour is learnt in response to past
experience and can be unlearnt, or reconditioned, without analysing
the past to find the reason for the behaviour.
uses the power of the mind to influence behaviour. It is based on the
theory that previous experiences can adversely affect self-perception
so will condition attitude, emotions and ability to deal with certain
situations. It works by helping the client to identify, question and
change self-denigrating thoughts, thus altering habitual responses and
behaviour.
combines cognitive therapy and exploratory psychotherapy, and encourages
clients to draw on their own resources to develop the skills to change
destructive patterns of behaviour. Negative ways of thinking are explored,
and treatment is structured and directive.
combines cognitive and behavioural techniques. Clients are taught ways
to change thoughts and expectations and relaxation techniques may be
used.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing involves stimulation of
either lobe of the brain by using eye movements which it is believed
replicates what appears to happen in REM sleep, allowing a natural processing
of traumatic events or disturbing memories to take place. It is particularly
useful for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
is derived from the German for "organised whole" and is based
on the belief that the human response to experiences is summed up in
a person's thoughts, feelings and actions. The client gains self-awareness
by analysing behaviour and body language and giving expression to repressed
feelings. Treatment often includes acting out scenarios and dream recall.
is when several distinct models of counselling and psychotherapy are
used together in a converging way rather than separately. Many counsellors
use one core theoretical model of counselling but draw on techniques
and styles from other approaches when appropriate.
is based on the assumption that an individual (client) seeking help
in the resolution of a problem can enter into a relationship with another
individual (counsellor) who is sufficiently accepting and permissive
to allow the client to freely express emotions. This will enable the
client to come to terms with negative feelings which may have caused
emotional problems, and develop inner resources.
stresses the importance of the unconscious and past experience in determining
current behaviour. The client is encouraged to talk about childhood
relationships with parents and other significant people and the therapist
focuses on the client/therapist relationship (the dynamics). The psychodynamic
approach is derived from psychoanalysis but usually provides a quicker
solution to emotional problems.
is sometimes described as "psychology of the soul" and aims
to integrate or synthesise the level of consciousness at which thoughts
and emotions are experienced with a higher, spiritual level of consciousness.
Painting, movement and other techniques can be used to recognise and
value different facets of the personality. It can be useful for people
seeking a more spiritually oriented vision of themselves.
is based on the belief that everyone has a child, adult and parent self
within them and, within each social interaction, one self predominates.
By recognising these roles, a client can choose which one to adopt and
so change behaviour. This form of therapy has produced the term "inner
child" used to describe unfulfilled needs from childhood.
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