“The world hangs on a thin thread, and that is the psyche of man.”
With these words, the famous psychologist Carl Jung was pointing out the importance of knowing ourselves and what drives our behaviours. Personal confusion and suffering, which can furthermore negatively affect the people around us, can be alleviated through the process of counselling.
People seek counselling because they’re dissatisfied with some aspect of their life. They may be unable to find a solution to their problem and seek counselling for assistance. Some of the main purposes of counselling are to assist people with:
Anxiety
Depression
Self-esteem issues
Relationship issues
Life changes and challenges
Counsellors utilise many forms of therapy, depending on what the person needs. For example, psychodynamic therapy can be used when dealing with issues stemming from childhood, cognitive behavioural therapy is very helpful for modifying irrational thinking and unhealthy habits, and humanistic/existential therapy helps examine existential questions such as Who am I? What is my purpose? and What gives my life meaning? It takes appropriate skills to deliver such modes of therapy, and the professional counsellor has to undergo extensive training, over and above being a well meaning and caring person who wants to help.
Counselling can free the person to focus purely on themselves and take risks not possible with friends or family. This is because everyday relationships usually have conditions attached, while the counsellor is there for the client unconditionally. The opportunity for the person to be ‘seen’, even with their flaws, and accepted by a genuine and caring person provides the ideal conditions for healing. Counselling builds self-awareness and self-compassion, leading to genuine self-confidence and eventually personal empowerment.