Deciding to go for counselling is your first step to recovery from emotional or psychological issues. You have taken a big step and will be devoting your time, energy, and, most times, money to this decision. But these and merely showing up for your sessions may not be enough. There’s more to do on your part to achieve the best result. You want to make the most of each counselling session. Overcoming that problem that led you to seek a counsellor out is essential. This blog shares three major ways to get the most out of a counselling session.
1. Choose the appropriate counsellor for your case
Counsellors have different specializations. Some are trained psychologists focusing on depression. Some focus on couples. Others on trauma, divorce, grief, or substance abuse. Luckily, you can find a counselling clinic in Hamilton and across Canada, that deals with various mental health issues. These clinics usually assign the best counsellor for each case once you consult with them.
2. Be completely honest with the counselor
Counselling offers a safe space to express your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. If the counsellor is right for you, opening up will be easy to do. It may be tough in the beginning, but not for long. You will soon establish trust with the counsellor and should be able to show your emotions. You can then express all your thoughts, including the unpleasant ones. Through this, the counsellor can guide you to gain control of your emotions.
3. Keep a counseling diary
You can discuss a lot of things with your counsellor in one session. Or the counsellor may ask you questions you couldn’t answer. Writing in your diary after each session is a great way to keep track of your feelings. You can take the diary to the sessions and use it as a reference when recalling a thought or feeling about an issue.
Bonus: Maintain boundaries around counselling
Sometimes, your friends and family may want to know what you talked about in counselling. Do not feel like you owe it to anyone to reveal what was said in your sessions. What the counsellor tells you is meant to help you get through your issues. Revealing it to friends and family can expose you to meaningless criticisms. This has the potential to interfere with your recovery.
In addition, before beginning your sessions, ensure you have sorted out the administrative aspects. These include payments, insurance, and any other paperwork. Ask questions to ensure these areas are settle before you start. You want to avoid any interruptions during each session. Making sure your next session is set and you’re up to date on payments is one way to ensure the session goes uninterrupted.
Final thought
Seeking professional help is a great step and one of the best things you can do for your situation. But you have to make the most of the treatment. Making a commitment to improving your mental wellbeing helps you make the most of each counselling session.