Counselling is the process of helping people cope with emotional, behavioral, vocational, marital, educational, or life-stage problems. This includes assisting with such issues as stress, anxiety, depression and loss of self-confidence. It can also help those with relationship or family issues, addictions, eating disorders and other serious mental health conditions.
A counsellor works to build rapport and trust with a client, often starting in the first interview when they introduce themselves, invite the client to sit, address them by name and ask open-ended questions to explore why the person wants counselling. They observe body language and other non-verbal cues to identify whether the client is feeling comfortable discussing sensitive subjects.
Counsellors aim to work collaboratively with their clients to set realistic goals for change, and encourage the client to take responsibility for implementing these changes. They may also provide a framework for understanding the client’s thoughts and emotions, to assist them in finding clarity.
It is important for counsellors to be aware of the limits of their ability to influence a client, so that they do not interfere with the client’s autonomy. This is especially important if they are using Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic approach to counselling, which involves exploring the unconscious and its impact on function and behaviour. https://aylesbury.trusted-coaching.co.uk/depression/