Does Counselling Work? 

If you have a counsellor with whom you feel comfortable and who understands you, that’s a great sign! However, some individuals may encounter counselling experiences that are not beneficial, and there are various reasons for this. 

It’s helpful to reflect on what “effective therapy” means for you personally. 

Engaging in counselling can be a daunting journey, making it essential that you feel secure, at ease, and confident in your counsellor.

Several common factors can contribute to therapy being unhelpful for some people, including:

• Feeling uncomfortable, mistrustful, or unsafe with the therapist
• Not feeling acknowledged, heard, or understood during sessions
• Finding the therapy either overly challenging or insufficiently stimulating
• Attending therapy due to legal mandates or pressure from family rather than your own choice
• The therapeutic style does not align with your needs
• Uncertainty about what therapy can achieve, what to expect, or your personal goals for treatment
• Receiving only short-term strategies that manage symptoms without addressing deeper issues
• Being given advice rather than having your feelings validated

These points may resonate with you or serve as considerations when exploring therapy. What proves effective for one person may not work for another. Sometimes, the benefits of therapy may not be immediately apparent, but positive changes can emerge over time. Additionally, what suits you well at one phase of life may not be appropriate later on.

Healing is often a non-linear process; sometimes, it can feel as if things are becoming more challenging before they start to improve.

You may discover that while you desire to tackle emotional challenges, build resilience, enhance your relationships, or pursue personal goals, parts of you prefer maintaining the current state. It’s possible that the desire for change is overshadowed by a comfort with the status quo.

For instance, consider a job you’ve held for years. While you might yearn for a more fulfilling career or new opportunities, the familiarity of your current role can be comforting. The routine, known colleagues (even bad ones), and predictable tasks may feel safer than the uncertainty of seeking a new position or changing fields. In this case, the desire for change can be overshadowed by the comfort found in the status quo.

This is perfectly normal because every behaviour has its reasons, even those that may seem unproductive at first glance. A significant aspect of counselling is exploring these dynamics to foster greater awareness and the freedom to make informed choices.

The best way to start is to consider what you would like to achieve from counselling and to find a counsellor you are drawn to. 

Finding the right counsellor is essential. At Mindology, we want to ensure you receive care that matches your unique needs, empowering you to embark on your healing journey with confidence and support. Counselling at Mindology is conducted session by session, tailoring the pacing and frequency of sessions based on your preference and therapeutic needs. Furthermore, we are happy to make referrals if you require additional support or a therapist change. This ensures that you are not tied down, and we strive to make every therapuetic decision based on your best interests.