At its most basic, counselling is being listened to. Obviously there’s more to it than that, or else it wouldn’t take so long to qualify as a counsellor!
It is probably easier to say what counselling is not; it’s not getting advice, it’s not being told what to do, it’s not being ‘fixed’ by someone. A counsellor will not prescribe you anti-depressants or other medication.
A good counsellor will listen to you…
A good counsellor will hear you…
… and then a good counsellor will tell you what they’ve heard. And that’s where the magic happens.
Because sometimes it’s like hearing it for the first time, the penny drops and you realise you know the answer to your troubles.
It feels like magic, but it isn’t. It will change your life.