I believe we’ve all seen movies or imagined counselling sessions in which the client walks in, sits down on the couch with his or her head to the ceiling, and goes on and on about what happened to him at work or what he really thinks about the colour blue while nothing changes.
Images like this might make mental health counselling seem complicated or even meaningless. But, it’s really different from what real-life therapy looks like.
You might be wondering what occurs when you go into your first session. What does your counsellor say first? How long is a therapy session? Do other people know I consulted a counsellor? Do other people get to know I just saw a counsellor? Do I spend the whole time talking? What do I even say?
If you’ve ever been intrigued yet unsure what to anticipate, here is what mental health counselling actually looks like.
What is Mental Health Counselling?
Mental health Counselling is a collaborative effort between the counsellor and client. Professional counsellors assist clients in identifying objectives and potential solutions to problems that create emotional distress. They seek to improve communication and coping skills, strengthen self-esteem, and promote behaviour change for optimal mental health.
Mental health Counselling is not limited to individuals suffering from mental illnesses. It is intended for anyone who is concerned about their mental or emotional well-being at any stage of life. Counselling may give support, insight, and healthy coping techniques whether you’re experiencing stress, relationship issues, life transitions, or anything that’s been affecting you and your well-being.
Types of Counselling Styles
Many individuals are often astonished by the variety of therapy options available. There isn’t a single “therapy style” for everyone. Mental health counselling has so many forms designed to meet individuals where they are.
Therefore, a mental health counsellor may use a variety of counselling styles based on your needs, directing the conversation with thoughtful questions, calm reflections, and tools that are useful in everyday life.
And so, their job is help individuals better understand their emotions, behaviours, and reactions to life’s challenges, which is why it is always important to be honest with your counsellor.
What Really Happens During Mental Health Counselling?
Counselling can take place in a variety of settings, including face-to-face, over the phone, and online (this has become really popular due to the advancements of the internet, it’s known as Tele-mental health). Depending on the circumstances, it might involve a single individual, couples, families, or even groups.
Sessions typically last for about 50 to 60 minutes, with many patients attending between 8 and 16 sessions weekly or daily. During each session, the counsellor establishes a secure, non-judgmental environment in which they listen carefully, attempt to understand things from your viewpoint, and gently urge you to discuss your ideas, emotions, and life experiences.
The goal is to make you feel listened to, supported, and more capable of understanding yourself.
Clients Confidentiality
Counsellors establish a secure and trusting environment by explicitly defining their professional code of ethics, which includes confidentiality as one of its most fundamental elements. This means that anything you disclose during a session remains private. Counselling sessions are not audio-video-recorded, and while counsellors may take notes, they are often brief and preserved solely for record-keeping, continuity of service, and potential referral.
However, secrecy isn’t absolute. Counsellors have a legal and ethical obligation to violate confidentiality in some circumstances, particularly when there is an urgent danger of damage to you, the therapist, or someone else. In such circumstances, information may be provided with the relevant authorities, such as a police officer or an emergency agency, in order to assist lessen the risk and save lives.
This balance of privacy and safety ensures that therapy is both ethical and responsible.
Benefits of Mental Health Counselling
These are some of the benefits:
Improved communication and interpersonal skills
Mental health counselling significantly improves communication and interpersonal skills. Clients learn how to express themselves, engage with others, and respond to stressful situations, all while building healthy coping abilities. This is often done by a step-by-step process.
Improved Self-Awareness And Esteem
There is a deeper level of understanding of who you are, your strengths, what drives you, motivates you and what drains you. Counselling guides people on how to recognize their own talents, confront negative self-talk, and cultivate a healthy self-image. This is often done through journaling, affirmations, and so many other techniques.
Ability To Modify Maladaptive Behaviours
Mental Health Counselling helps you discover dangerous behaviours like avoidance, procrastination, substance abuse, or destructive relationship cycles. During Counselling sessions, clients are able to grasp the underlying reasons of these behaviours and gradually replace them with better, more productive routines.
More appropriate expression and regulation of emotions
Many people struggle with expressing their emotions in appropriate ways. Most times, you hear individuals say they are emotionally unintelligent or they feel numb, sometimes not having the right words to express how they feel. Counselling helps to provide a secure environment in which to express emotions such as anger, sadness, fear, or guilt, as well as provide practical skills for regulating emotions without repressing or acting out.
Relieve depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Counselling, using evidence-based therapy procedures, can help to lessen symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health issues. It assists individuals in developing coping techniques, understanding triggers, and gradually building emotional resilience.
Improved decision-making abilities.
Counselling helps clients to define their beliefs, goals, and priorities. This clarity boosts confidence in making judgments, setting boundaries, and accepting responsibility for choices without fear, hesitation, or external pressure.
Ability to better control stress
In this current world, we hear the words ‘stress’ and ‘burnout’ more frequently than normal. Counselling provides stress-management skills such as relaxation methods, time management, and healthy coping processes. Individuals learn how to cope with stress rather than feeling overwhelmed or controlled by it, boosting overall mental health wellbeing.
When Should You See A Mental Health Counsellor?
- Persistent sadness, anxiety, or mood changes that do not improve.
- Difficulty concentrating and completing work or academic responsibilities.
- Feeling constantly overwhelmed, stressed, or emotionally drained.
- Ongoing family or relationship conflicts that feel unresolved.
- Repeated self-sabotaging behaviours such as procrastination or avoidance.
- Struggling with grief, loss, or a major life transition.
- Experiencing trauma from abuse, violence, accidents, or other distressing events.
- Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from others.
- Frequent anger outbursts or difficulty controlling emotions.
- Panic attacks, excessive worry, or irrational fears.
- Compulsive behaviours that interfere with daily life.
- Loss of motivation, purpose, or interest in activities once enjoyed.
Conclusion
Just to summarize all that I’ve said, mental health counselling is an invaluable resource for anyone dealing with emotional, psychological, or life issues. It provides a safe and supportive environment in which to better understand yourself and develop healthy coping strategies. You do not have to face life’s issues alone; help is available, and taking the initial step can make a significant impact.
RECOMMENDATION
If you need help or know someone with their mental health or mental illness, check out the resource page for mental health resources.
