I have always been curious about human behaviour. I dipped my toes in to the counselling study waters years ago, by enrolling in an introductory counselling course at my local adult education centre. Becoming a counsellor was never part of the plan, but the subject fascinated me and inspired me to pursue a new career. It hasn’t been easy studying in my fifty’s, alongside a job and family commitments, but I have never regretted it for a single moment.
Studying counselling has been a game changer for me. It’s helped me to look at myself with a deeper level of understanding about what lies beneath the surface. It’s not just about what motivates me but recognising why I act the way I do. This awareness allows me to change and break unhelpful habits. Personal counselling is a course requirement, and it’s been beneficial to experience it while studying the theories and applying them to myself. I truly believe this knowledge has improved my life. Having an enhanced level of self-awareness has increased my capacity for kindness, compassion, and understanding, especially towards myself.
I see therapy as a part of my self-care. It’s a trusted space where I can be myself without fear, warts n all, good days, bad days, I’m not judged or given advice, but I am heard, truly listened to, with compassion, empathy, warmth and kindness. I liken my therapist to being the passenger in my car. I’m driving, but they are observing and maybe noticing the things I can’t see because I’m focussing on the road. Each journey we go on is different and we learn new things, but ultimately, I am in control, I am empowered. This therapeutic relationship is a very special one, it is connection between two people, built on trust, empathy, authenticity and non-judgement.
In my experience, people come to therapy for all sorts of reasons, and when it comes to finding the right therapist, one size might not fit all. I do believe there is a therapist out there for everyone, and my advice would be that if it doesn’t work for you the first time, don’t give up, maybe try again. Being vulnerable takes courage, trust and patience. Having counselling can be challenging, exposing, exhausting, enlightening, empowering and validating and so much more. The more you put into it, the more you are likely to get out of it. It’s certainly been a rollercoaster of emotions for me, yet it’s always been worth it.
So, if feel you need support with any of life’s challenges, such as, anxiety, low mood, grief, loss, relationships, self-esteem, or maybe you want to understand yourself a bit better and need an unbiased ear to hear you; why not take the plunge, give it a try. Reaching out and taking that first step could be life changing, it certainly was for me.
Powerful is our need to be known, really known by ourselves and others, even if only for a moment. ‘“Carl Rogers”
Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. “Brene Brown”