Mental health counselling, or psychotherapy, is something many people find it hard to understand. A mental health counsellor is a health professional who helps patients achieve emotional, behavioural and social wellness. Counsellors often see patients on an ongoing basis as one part of a treatment plan and work with a variety of patients/clients and may specialize in areas such as depression, Anxiety, Anger, trauma, addiction, etc.
Mental health counselling is a formal, intentional partnership between a client and a mental health professional also referred to as clinical counselling because it is based on sound research and uses techniques proven to be effective.
Mental Health Counselling is a process of varying lengths during which the Counsellor and the client work together to explore problems and develop the skills and mindset needed to move through the challenges and live a life of good emotional health. The length of the counselling process varies depending on the individual and the issues or distress. It can continue anywhere from a few weekly sessions to months or, sometimes, years of occasional sessions.
People seek counselling not only for mental illness but also for specific life stresses. Counselling can happen individually, in one-on-one sessions with a counsellor or additionally, one can also engage in couples therapy, family therapy, or group therapy.
Mental health counsellors choose from a wide range of therapeutic approaches when helping someone. The particular approach that a Counsellor uses depends on the Counsellors assessment of the issues or concerns, the counsellor’s professional preference as well as the nature and characteristics of an individual client with each approach having a particular focus.
Most counsellors don't practice one single approach but instead weave together principles of many to best fit individual clients. Approaches most likely to be used on their own include CBT, DBT, ACT, and solution-focused brief therapy.
Here are some benefits that Counselling has helped them with:
- Personal insight
- Personal empowerment
- Acceptance of life
- Hope
- The overcoming of demoralization caused by social stigma
- Life skills
- Low self-esteem
- Wellness
- Prevention of future mental health distress
Seeking counselling is a sign of courage and strength because it is an important step in taking charge of one’s mental health and creating the life that one deserves, a life worth living.