Here you will find questions and answers to Mental Health, Counselling and Self Care.
Q: What is Counselling?
A: Counselling is the opportunity to talk with a trained professional who is removed from your personal situation. Counselling may help you gain a new perspective without feeling judged. It is a safe place for you to share what you feel comfortable and gain a deeper understanding about yourself. Counselling may also help you to make sense of the past and learn how to live freely in the present.
Q: How do I know if I need counselling?
A: I don’t think it’s a matter of needing counselling, but more so making a choice to see a counsellor. If you choose to see a counsellor it does not mean you have a mental illness. Some people seek counselling simply to tweak some things in their life that don’t quite make sense, to talk to someone who has an impartial ear to listen and give a new perspective. If you’re wondering about counselling, go to the contact page and make some enquiries. It is a courageous and hard step to take, but well worth it.
Q: What is Self-Care?
A: “Self-Care just means putting yourself on the list. It means valuing yourself enough to know you need to spend time resting, setting boundaries, and engaging in activities that make you happy (or cared for), without feeling guilty.” – Lucille Zimmerman.
Q: Why is self care important?
A: Self Care is about looking after yourself and putting yourself on your to-do list. In our fast paced world it’s so easy to get caught up in the immediate things in life that we forget to value and make time for ourselves. When we always put others first, we don’t have enough energy left to effectively help those in our life. Start looking after yourself today and ‘give those in your life the best of you, not what’s left of you’ (Lucille Zimmerman).
Q: What can I do today to start taking care of myself?
A: Start by doing one thing each week that you really love doing. Maybe it’s going for a walk in a picturesque place, or having a coffee at your favourite coffee shop by yourself with no distractions, or simply making a cup of tea and sitting in the sun for 5 minutes. Then go from once a week to a couple times a week to once a day. For more self care tips subscribe to Journeez blog and get tips to keep you going. You can also go to one of Journeez Workshops which happen several times a year.
Q: How do I choose the right counsellor for me?
A: There are a few key things to take into account when choosing a Counsellor:
– Check the counsellors qualifications and preferably if they are a member of a Counselling Association. – A qualified counsellor will have a minimum of a Diploma, however it is recommended that you see someone who has a minimum of a Bachelor or a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, to be ready and trained as a counsellor.
– Get to know the counsellor. If they have a website, look at every page and get an idea about their values, and specialist area/s if they have one. Check what their fees are and where you will meet them for sessions.
– Ask friends and family for a referral. If people you know have seen a counsellor and they were happy, then that can help in choosing a counsellor.
– You need to feel safe and listened to without judgement. The counsellors job is to offer a safe and non-judgemental place for you to share what’s on your heart and mind. Trust your intuition, if you aren’t sure or you feel like something just isn’t right, that’s OK. You don’t have to go back to that counsellor if you don’t feel safe. You can try another counsellor.
– You could give the counsellor a call to find out any details. This will give you a chance to hear their voice and gauge their personality.
Counselling is a very courageous choice to make. It will challenge you! It will also be worth the highs and lows of the journey.
~ Do you have a question you’d like answered? Leave a message through the contact page.