what can you expect from counselling and psychotherapy?

These are services designed to help people who wish to make changes in their lives by offering 'talking treatment'. However, specific advice is not given.

• How could a therapist help me?
You should expect one or a series of confidential, professional appointments of up to an hour in length in a suitable private setting.

• What are the key elements of this process?

• Service provided when you wish to make changes in your life
• An opportunity to make sense of your individual circumstances ·
• Contact with a therapist who helps identify the choices for change ·
• Support for the individual during their process of change ·
• The end result leaving you better equipped to cope for the future.

• Do I have to lie on a couch?
There are many different, valid ways of undertaking therapy. In most cases, though not always, you would be offered a chair to sit on.

• How do therapists work then?
They usually work face-to-face employing a range of techniques to suit your circumstances. However, with the advent of the Internet some therapists may use a mixture of telephone, email and video conferencing.

• Why are there different approaches?
Different therapies have different styles. For instance, in cognitive behavioural and sex therapy there will be 'homework' to do. In bereavement therapy, there would be a lot of emphasis on supporting you through some difficult emotions. A psychodynamic counsellor would look at your past while another type of therapist might focus solely on your life in the present-day. Some therapies concentrate on the future.

• How do they work?
Many approaches regard your developing relationship with the therapist as a kind of model which may reveal the patterns of behaviour that cause you problems. Others look at your family relationships and who wielded the power in your house when you were growing up. Others focus on your thinking style and changes in behaviour. There are big distinctions between therapy where you do most of the talking and those which involve much more of a dialogue. But don't worry, whichever approach is adopted you should be able to make the changes you are looking for. The first appointment, sometimes called an assessment session, is an opportunity to explore issues that could affect the relationship between you and the counsellor/psychotherapist as well as your personal needs for counselling

• Will I get hooked on therapy?
The goal of any talking treatment is your increased self-awareness, skill acquisition and independence. During therapy, you may develop some feelings of reliance upon the therapist. Although a normal reaction it can, at times, feel worrying. But a professional therapist knows exactly how to handle these feelings and is genuinely interested in helping you make progress.

• Is there a counsellor or psychotherapist for my situation?
Therapists practise in all walks of life and all parts of society - from an NHS clinic to the Boardrooms of top companies. We are trained in situations as diverse as: coping with anxiety and bereavement, relationship difficulties, educational dilemmas, sexual and racial issues, personal problem-solving as well as helping victims of child abuse and trauma.

• Where can I find a therapist?
You can use BACP and its directories to find a therapist. Always enquire whether a potential therapist is bound by BACP's ethical guidelines and professional conduct.

• What if I am deaf or hearing impaired?
You can contact BACP via its minicom service on 0870 4435162 for assistance in trying to locate accessible practitioners or services.

• What should I ask when I contact a counsellor/psychotherapist for the first time?
Ask about the time, place, cost and duration of meetings plus any charges for cancelled appointments and holidays. You may also wish to enquire about the counsellor or psychotherapist's professional membership, experience and training. During this time you will build up an idea of what is involved and you will be able to make up your mind if this is a person you can work with. It is important to be clear about what you want and what the practitioner is able to offer.

• Is counselling/psychotherapy confidential?
Everything you discuss is confidential between you and the counsellor or psychotherapist. There can be certain legal exceptions and the practitioner should clarify this with you prior to the establishment of any agreed contract for working.

• What is supervision?
All BACP therapists need to be in supervision which is a form of consultative support and must therefore discuss their work with at least one other person. But a superviser is also bound by rules of confidentiality so in practice there is no likelihood of any breach of trust.

• How much will it cost?
Costs can vary widely - fees are usually higher in the big population centres - so it is important to establish how much you will be paying before entering a mutual contractual arrangement. You could expect to pay anything between £10 and £80+ per session.

• What if I am on low income or unemployed?
If you are on a limited budget then fees can sometimes be adjusted to meet your situation and your ability to pay.

• What if I am a student?
Students can seek counselling/psychotherapy from staff employed by their training institute, university or college and special or no-fee arrangements may apply. Always check beforehand.

• What if I am not happy with the counsellor/psychotherapist when we meet?
During the Assessment or first session be prepared to trust your instinct because your relationship with the therapist is at the heart of the work. If you are unsure about the practitioner seek another one. Having confidence in your practitioner is very important and will enable you to get the best out of the time you spend together. Always remember it is you who are the customer.

• What about counselling/psychotherapy online?
There are a number of counsellors now offering an online service. Before entering into any contractual arrangement you should satisfy yourself that the practitioner is qualified to provide the service and is a member of a professional body like BACP. Although in some situations there are benefits to counselling through the Internet, confidentiality is a key concern. For example, you may wish to ask if your notes are protected by passwords and encrypted? Are printouts held in a secure cabinet? What happens when there are technical problems or the practitioner is away? Remember that online discussions must pass through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) where security may not be a high priority.

• How can I be sure a counsellor/psychotherapist is qualified?
Ask us. BACP is the largest voice of the talking therapies in the UK. BACP members are covered by an Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

We at BACP can refer you to:

• Accredited counsellors registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
• the UK Register of Counsellors (UKRC)
• the UK Council for Psychotherapists Register of Psychotherapists (UKCP)
• the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
• the British Psychological Society Register of Chartered Psychologists (BPS)
• COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland) accredited members
• practising members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy who are properly supervised.

• How can I find a counsellor/psychotherapist who speaks my language?
Some practitioners are multi-lingual. In the BACP Directory these languages are listed. If you would prefer to communicate in language other than English then ask the practitioner or check with BACP.

• Will a counsellor/psychotherapist see me straight away?
Every effort will be made to see you at a time to suit. Sometimes demand for individuals or in organisations for counselling/psychotherapy can mean waiting lists.
How can I get counselling/psychotherapy for a member of my family or a friend?
You cannot. A person cannot be 'sent' for counselling or psychotherapy. They must wish to use the service and make the approach themselves. By all means, find out the names of therapists on their behalf but please encourage a direct approach by the person who needs the help.

Where can I find out more?

COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland) | www.cosca.org.uk
18 Viewfield Street, STIRLING, FK8 1UA
Tel: 01786 475140

UK Register of Counsellors | www.ukrconline.org.uk
PO Box 1050, RUGBY, Warwickshire CV21 2HZ
Tel: 01788 568739

Irish Association for Counselling | www.irish-counselling.ie
8 Cumberland Street, Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin
Tel: 00 353 1 230 0061

Alcohol Concern | www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
Waterbridge House, 32-36 Loman Street, LONDON, SE1 0EE
Tel: 020 7928 7377

Mind - The Mental Health Charity | www.mind.org.uk
15-19 Broadway, LONDON, E15 4BQ
Tel: 020 8519 2122

Nafsiyat Inter-Cultural Therapy Centre | www.nafsiyat.org.uk
278 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, LONDON, N4 2HY
Tel: 020 7263 4130

Relate | www.relate.org.uk
Herbert Gray College, Little Church Street, RUGBY, CV21 3AP
Tel: 01788 573241

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