Counseling can be best described as a talking therapy.
It is a process in which conversation is used to aid the client develop awareness and understand the issues in his/her life.
In this way the Counselor helps the client to develop skills which will help him/her use their resources and cope better.
Counseling helps in understanding your thought and behavior patterns.
It offers a new and different perspective of looking at your emotions and relationships.
It also provides an outlet for expressing your feelings, resolving conflicts and making a meaningful life.
It is a tool through which you can empower yourself, make a change in yourself and enhance the quality of your life.
So how does Counseling work? The client and therapist mutually enter into the counseling relationship.
The counseling relationship is based on mutual trust and co-operation.
The conversations are confidential and the client can open himself up in a non-judging environment.
The Counselor is not an expert who will give you advice and solve your problems.
Rather he/she acts as a facilitator who will help you in understanding the issues in your life and come to terms with it.
He/she will assist you in accepting the situation and make changes by giving you techniques which will aid you in the process.
Goals are set by the therapist and the client and in each session the goals are met and progress recorded.
The decision to terminate the sessions is also taken by the client and therapist together.
Counseling can take a number of forms.
Individual counseling or face to face counseling is a one to one interaction between the therapist and the client.
This personal counseling is highly effective as it provides the client and therapist to work together towards making a healthy change.
Telephone Counseling and Online Counseling in the form of video conference/chat and e-mail are other options available.
These are useful for people who cannot commute long distances, or are pressed for time.
Online counseling has also come as a boon for Indians living abroad, as they can access the services of Indian psychologists who can understand their issues and problems in the Indian context.
Counseling covers a range of problem areas, like stress, anxiety, depression, career problems, study problems, work-life balance, inter-personal relationships etc.
Marital counseling, pre-marital counseling, enhancing self-confidence, self-esteem, relationship counseling are some other areas where counseling is offered.
Thus Counseling is like a mirror in which you can see your reflection, come to know your inner self, accept who you are and make changes for the better.
We at the Centre for Self Awakening based in Bangalore are a group of Indian Psychologists offering counseling services and helping you make empowering choices and reach your highest potential.