So, you're going to start counselling- well done, that's a big first step. But how can you get the most out of your sessions? 

People come to counselling for so many different reasons, and at different times in their lives. Some people may be ready to talk, to pour their heart out and restore their inner calm. Some people may feel like they should talk but aren't sure where to start- they have kept everything buried for so long, the prospect of those memories and emotions seeing the light of day is incredibly daunting. Some people want to express how they feel, but finding the words isn't something they were ever taught how to do. And some people come looking for a fix. They aren't sure what exactly is wrong but they want to feel better, ASAP. Check in with how you're feeling about starting therapy. Do any of these sound relatable?

Next, have a think about what goals you might have. What would wellness feel like to you? It might be that it's easier to think of what you don't want to be doing anymore. We will discuss your goals at the beginning of counselling, and periodically as we go, as they may evolve. Agreeing goals ahead of time means that we can notice if you are often just venting instead of exploring the areas you wanted to focus on. Sometimes you just need to get something off your chest, and that's okay, but if it regularly distracts from the topic you came to work on, we can talk about whether you need to focus more and how we can work together to make that happen, or what the nature of the resistance is. 

There are a few other things that might help if you've considered them ahead of time. For instance, just a bit of self-care, like making sure you are fed and warm, and ideally as well rested as possible. This minimises distractions and support your system as you ride the emotional roller coaster that can be therapy. You might feel drained afterwards, many people do, so think about planning your day accordingly. Likewise, make sure that anyone who might be trying to contact you at that time knows you're busy, so you can switch off from your day-to-day and turn your focus inwards. 

Lastly, be gentle with yourself. Change can be messy. I've often spoken with clients about how it feels like throwing everything on the floor to get a better look before slowly putting everything away in the proper place, or binning some of it. It can feel rough before it feels better. This is why so many people settle for being a bit unhappy rather than braving change. It may feel intimidating, but consider the alternative- everything stays exactly how it feels right now. 

If you are ready to start feeling well, contact me to book your first session, at hannahpurdiecounselling@gmail.com