Counseling - a self introduction

Hello friends :)

I am Counseling!

Yes, you read it right :-), "I am Counseling", the protagonist of this blog-post. 

I have noticed in your society, mental health is still a matter of taboo. What a shame!
Moreover, there is prevailing ignorance about what is counseling all about. Due to this ignorance, people fail to opt for this helpful remedy, during their period of crisis.

Hence I am here to provide my self introduction to all of you, so that you can know me better & I can be your 'friend in need'.

My name originates from a Latin word Consilium, which means consultation or advice.

The way I describe myself is as follows: 
Counselling is a therapeutic relationship between counselee and the counselor, wherein the counselee shares their issues, thoughts, feelings or goals with the counselor. The counselor empowers the counselee to overcome or to effectively cope with their difficulties; helps the counselee in their goal setting or enables the counselee in effective self-management of emotions & feelings.

I take pride, in my universality, i.e. counselling is for everyone & everyone benefits through counselling. Let me list down the key benefits of counseling, from the counselee's point of view:

• Enhancement of self-awareness
• Effective self-management of emotions & feelings
• Enhances well-being & happiness.
• Improves the quality of interpersonal relationship
• Builds life skills
• Restores healthy self-esteem
• Facilitates personality development
• Gaining new perspective, paradigm shift & key insights
• Better decision making (well informed & critical thinking)
• Re-discovering the lost meaning of life 
• Re-kindling the long lost passion/hobby/skills

Since I (counseling) offer so many benefits, I find applicability in several areas such as:

• Rebuilding relationships or in coping up with a failed relationship
• Informed decision making
• Career counselling (students & working professionals)
• Enhancement of well-being (mind, body & soul)
• Rebuilding defense mechanism (coping skills)
• Better life management
• Rebuilding & maintaining healthy self-esteem
• Developing & sustaining desirable behavior over the undesirable ones
• Coping & overcoming grief, bereavement & loss
• Quitting addition/dependencies
• Enhancement of well-being & happiness

For individuals who could be suffering from acute mental health issues, may require medication from a psychiatrist doctor & I (Counseling) as an adjunct therapy exponentially increase the treatment effectiveness. (i.e. medication + counseling).

I (counseling) take enormous pride in mentioning counseling is based on strong principles, ethics, compassion & scientific knowledge. Let me briefly elaborate on some of these key aspects:

• I (counseling) have evolved over the years & there are many school of thoughts regarding counseling. 
• The Humanistic school of thought, which takes the approach of non-directive Counseling is predominantly practiced, in today's time. In this approach, the counselor & the counselee are considered equals, the counselor refrains from offering direct advice, rather he guides the counselee towards rational thinking & informed decision making. 
• Counseling is based on the following key principles:

1. Confidentiality - non-disclosure of counselee's identity & information
2. Non-judgmental - no prejudices & non-interference of counselor's value systems 
3. Active listening - undivided attention for the counselee
4. Empathy - counselor puts himself into counselee's shoes
5. Genuine positive strokes - praises & compliments
6. Empowerment - enabling the counselee with life skills, healthy self-esteem & well-being 
7. Goal setting & facilitating the plan of actions - enabling the counselee for progressive growth
8. Withdrawal (ensuring non-dependency) - ensuring the counselee is self-reliant 

I hope by now, I have been able to destroy several myths in your mind regarding counseling.

Hopefully with this increased awareness, the perceived taboo has been shaken a bit & should a need arise you will be at ease to seek counseling. Wishing all a life full of well-being & happiness!

                             
                           

Dr Sarah Ahmed 

Co-authored with Dr. Sarah Ahmed - Practicing Counselor & Psychotherapist