“Just as a physical workout strengthens the body, counselling strengthens mental resilience. Today, we learn about its benefits in work and life.”
Counselling is a form of therapy centered around conversation, where individuals engage with a trained therapist to address and manage emotional issues they may be facing. Much like how physical exercise strengthens the body, counselling exercises and strengthens mental resilience.
The process involves the individual having dedicated time with a therapist who provides a safe, confidential space for them to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.
A key aspect of counselling is its systematic approach. It typically begins with building a trusting relationship between the individual and the therapist. Through active listening and empathy, the therapist gains insight into the individual’s concerns and helps them identify specific goals they want to work toward and how to improve their life.
Once goals are established, the therapist and individual work together to plan an intervention. Throughout the counselling process, regular evaluations are conducted to assess progress and make any necessary adjustments to the approach.
Counselling sessions typically range from 40 to 60 minutes and can vary in frequency depending on the individual’s needs and the complexity of their issues. While some individuals may find relief in just a few sessions, others may benefit from ongoing support over a longer period.
Very often when I am running awareness workshops or webinars with groups of employees, I am questioned, “Madam what will happen with counselling?” If we have a problem, we will only have to deal with it. Talking to a stranger seems like a difficult thing to do”
And I am very pleased when a question like this is asked, because it gives me an opportunity to state the importance of talking to a trained neutral professional as opposed to an aunty, uncle or friend.
The reality is a family member or friend has a bias; they think you need to do something about your problem according to what they think is right. All well-meaning people in our life have their own agendas, and their unconscious mind tries to guide you towards a solution that they believe in. I am not saying that their intentions are bad but are the solutions that they are offering right for you?
Psychology is an evidence-based scientific study, and psychologists, counsellors and therapists undergo rigorous training and education in evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
When you meet a psychologist or a counsellor for a session, they have learnt to keep their biases aside, listen intently and actively, assess your situation and provide options of evidence-based interventions that are time tested based on working with your neurology, your cognition. For e.g. CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) which focuses on identifying and modifying thought patterns to influence feelings and behaviors. This involves a systematic examination of one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to understand the underlying connections and develop strategies for positive change.
The way our brain works is that our thoughts create feelings, and feelings create behavior, and then this behavior in turn reinforces our thoughts. Now if we want to change how we feel or how we behave, we need to really analyze in depth what are our thoughts about a particular problem and see if we can change the thoughts if we want to modify our feelings and behavior.
Now this may appear quite simple when I am putting it like this, but it really is a skill to keep the conversation going in a purposeful way in each session and giving the client ways to practice different thinking patterns and strategies to assess the impact on their feelings and behaviors.
For this you do need a trained professional, I have no doubt about it.
Overall, counselling provides individuals with the tools and support they need to navigate life’s challenges and ultimately build greater mental resilience. By addressing emotional issues and fostering self-awareness, counselling empowers individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
