What Is Counselling?:

What Is Counselling?: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counselling

The word counseling (or counselling) comes from the Middle English counseil, from Old French conseil, from Latin cōnsilium; akin to cōnsulere, to take counsel, consult.

There are probably as many definitions of counseling as there are practitioners to describe it.

The term was originally used by Frank Parsons in 1908: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Parsons

It was adopted by Carl Rogers in response to widespread prejudice in the U.S. against lay therapists and also because he was not then permitted by the psychiatry profession to call himself a psychotherapist.

The difference between definitions of counseling and psychotherapy is less significant than the practitioners' perceptions of their Raison d'être.

What Is Counselling?: www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=214

'Counselling' means different things to different people.

The word is used to describe anything from a cup of tea and a chat with a friend, to seeing a psychotherapist three times a week.

This is why we’ve written this section of CancerHelp UK - to make clear what we mean when we talk about counselling.

What Is Counselling?: www.hull.ac.uk/counselling/what_is_counselling/index.html

Counselling provides a safe place, separate from your daily life, where you can explore issues or feelings which are causing you difficulty.

The counsellor will aim to relate to you in a supportive and purposeful manner and assist you in the task of finding your own way forward.

Your use of counselling remains confidential to the service within the limits agreed with your counsellor.

What Is Counelling?: www.essex.ac.uk/counselling/whatcouns.htm

Students come to the Counselling Service for all sorts of reasons.

They might be worried, depressed, confused or feeling bad about themselves.

There might be a problem in their family and friendships or with their partner.

Or they might be experiencing difficulties with their work and exams.

Both men and women come to the Counselling Service, graduates and under-graduates, home students and students from abroad.

Some have been to see a counsellor before, for others it will be their first time.

What Is Counelling?: www.ssv.bcu.ac.uk/Counselling/coun-whatis.htm

Counselling is a way of addressing problems by talking them through with someone who is able to be supportive, but who is not directly involved in the situation.

A Counsellor will:

Give you an opportunity to talk in confidence about whatever is troubling you

enable you to express your feelings

help you to explore and understand your difficulties

help you to try and find ways of managing these more effectively

Although it may sometimes be appropriate to offer advice or guidance the emphasis is very much on enabling you to achieve change, rather than telling you what to do.

What Is Counselling?: www.kidneypatientguide.org.uk/site/counselling.php

Counselling is an opportunity for you: www.kidneypatientguide.org.uk/site/counselling.php

To talk privately and confidentially about your experiences and feelings in a way that is rarely possible with family and friends.

It can be helpful to anyone - patients, relatives and carers, individuals, couples, or family groups.

The counsellor will listen to you and try to understand your feelings from your point of view. He or she will work with you to help you find your own ways of dealing with your problems.

Even in the most difficult times, you know more about your own experience than anyone else ever can, so your counsellor will not give you advice.

Just support you in finding your own way.

Having counselling is not about being ill or inadequate.

It is about making a positive choice to help yourself.

If you feel that you could benefit from seeing a counsellor, check whether counselling is available within your Renal Unit.

Alternatively, counselling is available through the British Association of Counselling (01788 578328), who can provide you with a list of qualified private counsellors in your area.

Counselling specifically for relationship difficulties is available through Relate (01788 573241).