We have reached the final part of our 4-part series looking at the most common counselling myths.
The Spark is busting the myths and misconceptions that can end up stopping people from considering counselling as a way to overcome the challenges and difficulties of life. By highlighting the truth about counselling we hope to offer a clearer picture of the ways counselling can help navigate the challenges of life.
Myth 9: A counsellor will judge me or look down on me
There are many different types of counselling. There are also different types of counsellor, with unique approaches to therapy. But one thing unites them all: the desire to help others.
Individuals that become counsellors do not do so in order to look down on clients or to judge them. They do it to be able to provide assistance to those struggling with life or dealing with painful experiences.
In many cases, but not all, individuals decide to become counsellors because of experiences in their own lives. Influential psychoanalyst Carl Jung coined the phrase ‘wounded healer’ to explain this. Jung determined that a ‘healer’ (in this case a counsellor) is often compelled to do so because of their own difficult experiences in life.
Myth 10: People will know I’m seeing a counsellor
Privacy is the cornerstone of counselling. Anything and everything you discuss with a counsellor is private and confidential.
A counsellor will never disclose information about you or your therapy sessions without your express permission.
There are some exceptions to this rule when there is a suspected risk to your own life or that of another person, which a counsellor will explain to you at your first appointment.
More detail on this is covered in The Spark’s privacy policy.
The truth about counselling
Check out part 1, part 2 and part 3 here.
Heard a myth about counselling we haven’t covered? Send it to us on Twitter or Facebook and we will bust that one too!
Find out more about individual, couple, marriage or family counselling with The Spark or complete an informal enquiry form.
