Many people come to counselling because they are unhappy and want to bring about change. Sometimes they know broadly what aspect of their lives they want to change but feel so overwhelmed that they don't know where to start or what they really want. Talking with a counsellor may help to clarify the situation and often the experience of "being listened to" and "sharing a problem" can bring huge relief, particularly in the initial stages of counselling.
When client and counsellor put their heads together in a working alliance, the client contributes information on the problem as well as their self knowledge, while the counsellor draws on various theories & techniques, general knowledge on issues, her personal life experiences and the collective wisdom of her clients, past and present. Guided by the client's expectations and desired outcomes, "the alliance" gradually unravels the problem and works towards a resolution that fits with the client's values, beliefs, hopes and aspirations.
Counselling can involve major transformations as well as smaller significant changes in a client's life. Usually a series of at least 6 sessions is required to enable the desired change to be successfully implemented.
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