Counselling is a type of therapy which encourages you to talk about your problems and feelings in confidence.
Counselling can be helpful in lots of scenarios, including when you have:
- relationship difficulties, particularly couples
- work-related problems, including stress and redundancy
- personal issues, e.g. sexuality, career concerns
- suffered a bereavement
- general feelings of sadness and negativity
- a lack of confidence, self-worth and/or direction
- become emotionally ‘stuck’ in relation to a situation or relationship
A trained counsellor will listen to you and help you deal with any negative thoughts and feelings you have by encouraging you to talk about what is bothering you and bring your feelings to the surface.
Though one session can sometimes be helpful, counselling tends to be most beneficial when it spans several sessions, over a period of weeks or months.
NHS 111 Wales has more information about counselling on its website.
Telephone and online support
Counselling does not always have to happen face-to-face; some counsellors now provide sessions over the phone, by email, or via live chatting.
Finding a counsellor
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is one of the UK’s largest organisations for counselling and psychotherapy. The website also has a good section explaining what counselling involves, what therapists do and how they can help you.