As the spring season approaches, many Melbournians look forward to an improved sense of vitality and wellbeing that tends to come with the promise of sunshine and warmer weather. For others, mental wellbeing continues to be an ongoing struggle with painful ramifications reverberating throughout every dimension of their lives, affecting the quality of work, family and social relationships.
Many of us are familiar with a cyclic experience of feeling ‘down’ and unmotivated during Melbourne’s grey winter months. A condition known, as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a more serious form of weather related depression, tending to be prevalent in Northern Hemisphere countries where daylight hours during winter months are limited. Fortunately, episodes of SAD are not commonly reported in Australia. Regardless, we still need to nurture our mental health and that of those around us when we notice those ‘down’ symptoms have become an unwelcome ‘visitor’ by lingering for too long, creating an obstacle to the quality of daily functioning.
Beyond Blue estimate 1 in 6 people will suffer depression at some stage in their lives and 1 in 4 experience anxiety conditions. Professional help can prove instrumental in the battle against anxiety and depression.
Before I meet a client for the first time, I am always appreciative of the daunting process they may have experienced when trying to choose a counsellor. I am aware it can be a leap of faith for a client to choose a counsellor that is right for them and their specific needs out of the myriad of professionals that may be advertised within just one local area.
Having a diverse range of therapists to choose from is a wonderful thing, but it can also be confusing and anxiety provoking as the client tries to decide who they will trust with their most precious possession…their inner landscape.
I would like to suggest that more than a leap of faith can be applied when making such an important decision as to who you will entrust with your mental health, private world and wellbeing. It is possible to narrow down the decision of whom you would like to work with by asking yourself some discerning questions that may help you to navigate your way to the right therapist for you.
1. Do you feel a connection to the information displayed on the counsellor’s promotional material and website?
2. Does the counsellor describe the theoretical frameworks they work from? There is little point making an appointment to work with a counsellor whose clinical approach is in contrast with your personal belief systems i.e., if you don’t believe in Reiki, it would be advisable to avoid counsellors who specialize exclusively in energy work.
3. Does the counsellor have current membership to one or more professional counselling associations? This ensures your counsellor practises within the framework of a professional code of ethics, is continually updating their professional development and is under the mentorship of a clinical supervisor.
4. Is the counsellor happy to take a no-obligation telephone call from you and spend some time discussing your presenting concerns before making the first booking to see you? A few minutes invested in a telephone call gives you the opportunity to get a feel for whom you are taking to and allows both of you to ascertain if the counsellor has the relevant skills to work with your particular issues.
5. Are the counsellor’s rooms conveniently located to ensure ease of transportation to and from appointments? Depending on the nature of your concerns, you may require at least 6-12 sessions and it is important the counsellor’s rooms are geographically convenient for you to access.
6. After navigating all of the above questions and you have an initial appointment with your counsellor, ask yourself:
- Did I feel deeply heard and understood by my counsellor?
- Did the counsellor pick up on the key issues I presented with?
- Did my counsellor demonstrate genuine empathy for me?
- Is my counsellor willing and capable of empowering me to find a solution regarding my concerns?
- Do I feel safe enough to reveal myself and my worries to this person?
Finding a solution to your concerns or helping someone you care about starts with a phone call. The author of this article, Jackie Tilley, is a qualified and experienced Clinical Psychotherapist with a Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy, Bachelor of Holistic Counselling, Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling and Specialist Certificate of Couple Counselling. She is a Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), including the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and Practicing Member of the Melbourne Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy (MCEFT).
Appointments are held in Malvern East, conveniently located for clients from Armadale, Malvern, Toorak, Windsor, St Kilda, Elwood, Caulfield, Camberwell, Glen Iris, Ashburton, Chadstone, Carnegie, Glenhuntly and surrounding South Eastern suburbs.
Jackie is happy to chat via phone to give you more information about her psychotherapy and counselling services and to answer your questions Phone: 0405 313 876
You can also contact Jackie via her website www.holisticcounsellor.net.au