How counselling helps you through crisis and development
Counselling is one of the most effective measures in preventive and curative therapy. It has proven benefits for personal and group development.
What is counselling?
Today we often hear that an individual or a group receives counselling after a traumatic event. What we really hear is that our knowledge of psychological need has improved hugely.
We no longer take it for granted that psychological and emotional stress will simply vanish. And we know that some form of mental illness touches one in five Australians.
Counselling is the provision of professional psychological advice for a specific issue or set of problems. Its brief is broad, but its structure is fairly simple. Classic counselling generally:
- Gathers background information
- Identifies the central issue or issues
- Forms a case
- Sets goals for therapy
- Delivers the therapy
- Reviews the results of the therapy
- Closes the case.
Lewis & Lewis covers the range of issues for which counselling is appropriate. Our counsellors are all fully trained and qualified psychologists. They operate under the guidelines of the Australian Counselling Association.
Even though government does not regulate them, they undertake regular professional development. Their knowledge and techniques are always current.
Our main counselling services cover:
- Anxiety disorders
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Relationships counselling
- Depression
- Anger
- Careers
- Grief
- Women’s health.
In a short article, we couldn’t describe fairly all that we do. Instead, let’s focus on a few specific issues.
Anxiety disorders
One of the most common psychological issues we deal with is anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder, or generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is real, and growing. As more people realise the benefits of counselling, greater numbers seek help for the condition.
Some anxiety is normal. It’s a natural reaction to facing a challenge, uncertainty or risk.
But if anxiety interferes with your life, or prevents you carrying out otherwise normal functions, you may have an anxiety disorder that would benefit from counselling.
Although people react differently to anxiety stimuli, anxiety disorders share a common symptom. They introduce intense fear where most people would see no danger.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is the merger of two therapies, cognitive and behavior. It’s useful for treating a range of mental disorders in both individual and collective settings.
Cognitive behavioral therapy works on the thinking/learning/changing axis. The therapy takes the view that our thinking profoundly influences our feelings and behavior. It’s direct, time-limited and results-driven.
CBT says ‘change the client’s thinking and the unwanted behavior will change as a result.’
CBT is also a two-way, collaborative proposition. The therapist listens, helps set goals, teaches thought-changing techniques, and assigns tasks.
The client’s role is active, honest communication, learning, and task implementation.
CBT is fact-orientated and aimed at the rational side of our clients’ lives. With an educational component, people see and feel change. Shown what works, they build knowledge into action, and action into change.
Relationship counselling
As the name suggests, relationship counselling crosses from individual issues to professional advice for couples or even larger groups. The dynamics of marriage, de facto partnerships and family ties are the main focus.
Other relationships also come into play. These can include workplace and friendship settings.
Listening, empathy and neutrality are the keys to our successful relationship work. Our goal is to achieve a better, stronger partnership for both sides.
Sometimes stalemate or a break-up seems inevitable. Exploring options for change or renewal with experts often provides a breakthrough.
Even if the relationship fails, you’ll know that the best efforts and resources went into the review.
What to do next
Even in depression, when life feels pointless and the future bleak, professional counsellors offer hope.
As trained psychologists, Lewis & Lewis counsellors have the knowledge and techniques to make a difference.
Do you want to make a difference in your life? Or the life of someone close to you? A single, confidential phone call is enough to set that change in motion.
Call Lewis & Lewis today on +61 3 9380 5742 and find out how counselling can take the weight off your shoulders.
