Counselling: A Space for Everyone

With the growing impact of social media and globalisation of information-technology, the world feels so connected yet so vast, so does the information we consume on a daily basis. Most of us know about psychology and counselling but do we really know what actually goes on in the process of counselling? That's completely alright because this blog might bring you one step closer to understanding how the process of counselling really works. 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), counselling is a professional, collaborative process designed to help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better. It addresses emotional, social, vocational, and mental health issues across the lifespan. To put it in simple terms, counselling is the space for the client to discover themselves and their concerns better. But does this definition clear all our confusions? Perhaps not. Because we as humans are exposed to various opinions, information, experiences and so on, which shape our understanding of the world. And in the process of doing so, we might believe some myths or misconceptions as in the case of mental health counselling. 

Let's dive into understanding and debunking some of those myths. 

One prominent misconception that people have about counselling is that it's for individuals with serious mental health concerns. While counselling does help individuals who are going through serious life crises and traumas, that's not its ONLY role. If we go back to the definition of counselling, we understand that it's for improving our well-being, which can be done regardless of the gravity and seriousness of the situation. The most important idea is that we all need someone to hear us non judgementally, help us look at situations from various perspectives, someone to help us understand our feelings and so on. In this fast paced world, regardless of the seriousness of our concerns (be it large or small), we all might feel like we are stuck in a loop and unable to point out why we are feeling the way we are feeling. 

A lot of stigma attached to counselling or therapy stems from the belief that it's solely treatment for mental health disorders. Counselling is not just treatment oriented but it can also be preventive in nature. Counselling provides us with tools and ways to cope in times of stress(which can happen to anyone). Counselling, therefore, can be understood as a non judgemental space where one can be oneself and openly talk about anything that's on their mind. It doesn't just have to be for individuals diagnosed with mental health disorders. It's for everyone. 

Another misconception we have is that "every counsellor is quite literally the same, if one counsellor hasn't worked, even the others won't". This misconception can stem not just from one's own experience with a counsellor in the past but also from others experiences with a counsellor. The bottom line is, not every counsellor is the same, and we don't relate with everyone in the same way. Rapport between the client and the counsellor becomes the core of counselling, and this rapport isn't the same with everyone. A counselor may not always be the best match for you but that doesn't mean counselling as a process won't help you. In such cases, researching about the various kinds of counselling options or counsellors becomes very important. Every counsellor has different specialisations or expertise, based on which you may be able to find a counselor who's a better fit for you. It's always good to let the counsellor know if the process isn't working for you, because a good counsellor will be ready to sit and discuss the goals you have in mind. 

Counselling is a collaborative and a two-way process. Sometimes, the rapport may not be the issue, but the client might feel their goals are not being met. In such a scenario, a good therapeutic relationship will allow the client to openly express their views and both the client and the counsellor can work together towards the future steps. 

Ultimately, counselling is a space that belongs to everyone. It is not limited to diagnosis, severity, or a one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding and challenging common misconceptions, we open ourselves to the possibility of support, self-discovery, and growth. 

The aforementioned myths or misconceptions are just a few that we might have about counselling. Counsellors in training at KYTS are conducting a workshop on the 29th of January to address and discuss more of these, if interested please do join the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ic0bSLtwr33LoYjnUFzaJE?mode=gi_t

Thank you for your time and patient reading:)