Counselling has been formally and successfully offered and practised in the UK for some 50 years or so; and yet even today it is difficult to come across a consistent and satisfactory definition of exactly what it is.
The following will hopefully make clear the advantages of undertaking such and answer some of the most important questions raised.
Definition/what is Counselling?
The WPF (A lead organisation founded in 1969) definition is amongst the clearest and most relevant around. It states:
"A skilled counsellor will listen and help you understand how past (and very recent) experiences, worries about the future or lack of confidence, may be affecting your life. Together you can reflect on how you respond to yourself and others. Your counsellor will not tell you what to do or give advice, but will help you make your own choices"
David Bonner adds: "The purpose of successful counselling involves a move away from the sometimes overbearing and judgemental influences of others. In its place the counsellee will learn to trust their own understanding and ability to a greater degree and thereafter perhaps surprise themselves with their positive decisions and moves"
