Trust
Growth
Resilience

What is Counselling?

We all experience personal challenges or issues in our lives. We can deal with these in most cases, by talking to friends or family members, or we try to deal with these difficulties ourselves. However, there are times, when these difficulties are far more complex and overwhelming to manage on our own. At such times, seeking support from a professional such as a counsellor can be extremely helpful. Counselling falls under the umbrella term of "talking therapies" and encourages and assists people to discuss difficulties and negative emotions. These emotional burdens can be the result of unresolved grief, loss or traumatic events from the past or present day trauma(s), conflicts, relationship difficulties, grief, loss, or situation that have become stressful. Difficulties can arise from past experiences that were never addressed appropriately at the time, the impact may have been minmized, avoided altogether or was the family secret never discussed or acknowledged. But at times, unfortunately, secrets can be discovered and are known as the "Skeleton in the cupboard". By creating a comforable atmosphere, the counsellor and client are able to establish a therapeutic alliance that is built on trust and respect for the clients view of the world. Counsellors are trained to offer different types of assistance and therapy, my preferred therapeutic approach is Narrative therapy because I believe that "Ëveryone has a story to tell". I work from many different perspectives and approaches to meet the needs of the client and their presenting problems. Counselling is a process of talking about and working through your personal problems. It helps you to address the diffiulties in a positive way by helping you to clarify the issus, explore options, develop strategies and increase self-awareness. For some people just the process of telling their story to a counsellor, listened to and validated, is helpful. Counselling provides confidential support. Which means that everything you discuss with a counsellor is private, between yourself and your counsellor. An exception is that a counsellor has a duty of care to report something that threatens your wellbeing or the wellbeing of others. This legal requirement will be explained to you in your first counselling session. Counselling assists people to discuss difficulties and negative emotions. These emotional burdens can be the result of unresolved grief, loss or traumatic events from the past or a present day trauma or situation that has become extremely stressful. Difficuties can arise from past events that weren't addressed appropriately at the time, by minimizing the impact, emotionally shutting down, or believing that protecting a child or yourself from the impact is better than acknowledging the event(s) that occurred. This has the tendency to arise later in life and creating a 'skeleton in the cupboard' that may become damaging later in life.
There are many different types of counselling and approaches, these vary depending upon the counsellors interest or focus. Its grounding is in many different thereoretical perspectives, and the range of human problems for which counselling can be helpful. This definitional challenge is made even more difficult because of the myriad of uses and activities in which the term 'counsellng' is applied. Anyone who is struggling with personal concerns can seek counselling. No issue is too big or too small to ask for support. Common issues that people seek counselling for include: * Grief and loss * Communication and relationship issues * School and career issues * Stress, anxiety and depression * Life transitions, birth of a baby * Separation & or divorce * Death of a family member or friend * Addiction/bad habits * Abuse * Trauma * Self-esteem difficulties * Disability diagnosis, caring, chronic illness Counselling meets the needs of a wide spectrum of people. It is not "a one size fits all" approach. Sessions are fluid, flexible and client-centred. Seeingg a counsellor is an excellent first step. Early intervention is the key, the earlier the problematic thoughts, feelings and behaviours are unpacked, the greater and quicker, in most cases, change can occur. There is no shame in finding it difficult to cope with an overwhelming situation that is outside our 'normal' comfort zone, such as multiple stressful situations that occur in a short period of time or are extremely traumatic in nature. Counsellors work with their clients to build trust, rapport and a sense of safety in an environment that is non-judgemental. By creating the right atmosphere the counsellor and client are able to successfully establish therapeutic goals and to begin the process of working towards these goals.
Empathy
Non-judgemental
Moving Forward

Counselling takes commitment!

In times of difficulty, counselling can assist a client to unpack difficult or conflicting emotions. It can be extremely beneficial when a person is given the opportunity to work through and examine complex challenges and perspectives. Counselling offers a safe and confidential environment to discuss struggles and concerns that may be impacting a person's life or relationships. While counsellors may not necessarily give concrete advice or a checklist of things to do to make you feel better instantly, they support the client to gain insight and understanding regarding their problems. When making a decision to seek a counsellor, it is natural to feel anxious regarding the first session. Making the decision to seek support and address the diffiulties being faced, is an important first step and should be congratulated * It is important to note: That the initial presenting issue may not necessarily indicate the actual complexity of the difficulties being faced. There may be more to this story!
Who can benefit from Sonders services? Children, Adolescents, Adults, Parents, Carers & Families