I’m Thinking About Seeing a Counsellor
“I’m feeling rather stuck and overwhelmed.”
“I don’t want to burden my friends or family with what I’m going through.”
“I just can’t switch my brain off. The worry is consuming me.”
“Nobody knows or understands how I really feel.”
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking thoughts similar to these, please know that you are not alone.
Many of us hope that the struggles we face will eventually pass with time. And often they do. Life naturally brings seasons of stress, sadness, uncertainty, and challenge that come and go.
But sometimes we begin to notice that something does not feel quite right within us. Perhaps the heaviness is lingering.
Maybe our relationships are suffering, our daily functioning feels harder, or the inner wounds we carry do not seem to be healing. We may find ourselves feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply unlike ourselves.
For people of faith, there can sometimes be an added layer of struggle. We may quietly wonder where God is in our pain, or fear that seeking support somehow reflects a lack of faith. In reality, reaching out for support can be a wise and courageous step toward healing and wellbeing.
If you’ve been “thinking about seeing someone,” the next question often becomes: who?
Before I go further, I need to say that if you suspect that what you are experiencing involves anything more than moderate mental health concerns, it is always important to first go and speak with your GP about might be happening for you.
However, if you are seeking non-clinical emotional support, personal growth, or a safe space to process life’s challenges, then connecting with a registered counsellor can be incredibly valuable.
And importantly —
You do not need to be in crisis or experiencing something “big” in order to see a counsellor.
Sometimes we simply need an unbiased and confidential space where we can feel truly seen, heard, understood, and supported without fear of judgement, pressure, or well-meaning advice from others.
Counsellors support people through a wide range of life circumstances, challenges, or problems. Examples include emotional struggles, mental health struggles, grief, loss, stress, relationship difficulties, or personal growth journeys.
While counsellors are trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, they do not work from a medical model or seek to diagnose you in the same way that a psychologist does. In fact, if you are already seeing a psychologist, there is nothing wrong with also seeing a counsellor, but it is best to let both your counsellor and your psychologist know that is what you are doing.
Many counsellors work within particular areas of interest or speciality. For example, some may focus on children, families, trauma, grief and loss, domestic violence, addiction, or relationships. Others, like myself, may specialise in a particular approach rather than a particular cohort or a particular problem.
Either way, a counsellor comes alongside and focuses on building a strong therapeutic alliance grounded in empathy, respect, and care.
Taking time to read through a counsellor’s website and asking questions can help you find someone who feels like they will be best able to support you.
It is also important to ensure the counsellor you choose is professionally registered with a recognised peak body such as the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
Registered counsellors are required to uphold ethical standards, ongoing professional development, and professional supervision. You can also search for registered counsellors through the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
When you attend your first counselling session, what matters most is the sense of connection and safety you experience with the counsellor sitting in the room with you.
A good counsellor should help you feel:
safe and free from judgement
heard, understood, and valued
respected and supported
comfortable with their personal style and approach
gently encouraged or challenged (when appropriate), while still ensuring you feel emotionally safe
You should feel empowered to end your sessions whenever you like, and the counsellor should always guide you toward the most appropriate services if something you bring up during sessions falls outside of their scope of knowledge or experience.
Most importantly, please remember this:
Reaching out for support is not weakness. It is a courageous and meaningful step toward caring for your wellbeing.
You do not have to carry everything alone.
At Purposeful Wellbeing I offer compassionate and personalised counselling for those who desire a safe space to feel truly seen, heard, and supported. If you are ready to connect, you can do so here.
I would be honoured to support you.
© Joanne Edwards