Will counselling help me?

Have you tried counseling before with little success or are you wondering if counseling will be effective for you?

How do you choose a therapist to help you? The reality is that the effectiveness of therapists ranges from 0% to 75%. That means that it is possible for a therapist to be unhelpful or even damaging. Or, they may be very effective and help people transform their lives. It is not surprising that many people hesitate to seek help due to concerns that it may not work or that it will be a painful process.

However, a new approach dramatically increases the effectiveness of therapy. This approach is called Feedback Improved Treatment (FIT), and it can improve the effectiveness of therapy by 120%. At Bridge Counseling, we use FIT to help ensure our clients receive the help they need. READ MORE

Effective counselling involves give and take. It is a cooperative effort by both the client and the counselor. Clearly defining what you hope to get from counselling will help you stay on track and help you measure the effectiveness of counseling. Discuss with your counsellor how you will measure your progress and set realistic time frames for achieving your goals.

The therapeutic relationship is one of the most essential elements in effective counselling. You want to feel safe and comfortable with your counsellor.

Some Signs of Effective Counselling:

  • An effective counsellor will help you identify negative thinking patterns that may be contributing to feelings of sadness, depression or anxiety. Your counsellor will encourage you to recognize and build on your personal strengths to move toward a more positive attitude.

  • Your counsellor will help you recognize your contributions to a difficult relationship. Effective counselling will help you to improve communications and set healthy boundaries. A good counsellor will assist you in making positive changes in your relationships.

  • Although you are responsible for making necessary changes, an effective counsellor will help you identify the obstacles in your way. If the challenges are within your control, your counsellor will suggest ways to help you get past them. If the obstacles are outside of your control, your counselor will help you learn coping skills that will help you cope with difficult situations.

The result of effective counselling is growth that empowers you to feel more ‘in control’ in your life and enjoy positive, fulfilling relationships with others.