Finding the Right Counsellor: Building a Positive Therapeutic Relationship

The Challenge of Choosing a Counsellor

Many people have experienced difficulties with a counsellor or therapist at some point. Such experiences are more common than one might expect, making the process of finding the right counsellor a challenging task. Much like searching for the right partner, finding a counsellor who is a suitable fit requires consideration and care.

Trust and Connection in Counselling

Trust is a fundamental element in any counselling relationship. Clients need to feel confident that their counsellor genuinely cares about their well-being and has their best interests at heart. It is equally important for clients to feel heard and understood, rather than feeling that the counsellor is simply following a prescribed set of responses learned during their training.

Counselling Techniques and Modalities

Counsellors draw from a wide range of techniques and therapeutic modalities during sessions. These approaches allow them to tailor their support to each client’s needs, aiming to help clients improve their well-being by using various systemic processes.

Evaluating Your Counselling Experience

When searching for the right counsellor, pay attention to how you feel before, during, and after each session. While it is normal for a session to bring up difficult emotions, particularly after discussing challenging topics, you should not feel persistently terrible or struggle to get through the day following a session. If these negative feelings continue, and your concerns are dismissed by the counsellor in subsequent sessions, it may be a sign that this is not the right fit for you.

Expectations and Outcomes

Counselling is an investment, both financially and emotionally, and it is reasonable to expect support that facilitates positive change in your life. Although counsellors cannot offer instant solutions, they should provide you with the tools and guidance necessary to foster improvement and personal growth.

Moving Forward with the Right Counsellor

The key is to find a counsellor who brings positivity to your life, encourages your growth, and helps you feel as though you are progressing in a meaningful direction. While there may be setbacks as you work through difficult issues in therapy, these should be temporary and not impede your overall progress for long.

I encourage all of you to take the time to find the right counsellor who works for you. I, myself, do not pretend to be the right fit for all clients and am always open to feedback from clients if they find something is not working. I believe there is an evolutionary process for both counsellors and clients through the therapeutic process. Happy searching to all of you.