Counselling Issues

You may have been considering counselling for some time, but be unsure if it’s right for you and for the problems you are facing. It’s worth knowing that counselling issues are hugely varied and diverse. They may be large or small, centred more on the past, or ongoing.

For example, you may have been through traumatic events. Perhaps you feel trapped in a life situation which you can’t cope with alone. You may suffer from painful feelings, from low-level but deeply destructive pain or depression. Or you may be going through bereavement, a time of panic or anxiety, or flashbacks to a traumatic experience.

Whatever the pain you are experiencing or the problems you have been through, if things are adversely affecting the quality of your life, they are worth doing something about. Although we are encouraged to put on a brave face and simply carry on, ignoring your problems really isn’t the best option. In fact, problems ignored can actually fester and grow worse.

To help you make a decision and be sure that counselling is appropriate for you, please have a look at the list of common counselling issues outlined on this page.

Common Issues Brought to Counselling

Anxiety

Anxiety, stress and panic are feelings we all experience, but sometimes they escalate or become permanent states of mind. Acute, ongoing anxiety can make it hard to summon up the energy and courage to continue with our day to day life.

Depression

Everyone feels down at times, but in depression a dark cloud seems to be permanently lodged over our head, threatening to overwhelm us.

Addiction

There are many different types of addiction that can wreak havoc in our lives, destroying our self-esteem and undermining our relationships.

Life transitions

At certain times in life we can be faced with profound change. The old status quo falls away and we may feel great sadness, confusion or even be completely overwhelmed.

Abuse

There are many types of abuse, to adults and to children, all involving power and control over another person. Abuse may take the form of domestic violence, psychological or emotional abuse, sexual abuse or financial abuse. Most adult victims are women, but there are also men who suffer from abuse and partners in same-sex relationships as well as heterosexual ones.

Relationships

Relationships are of great importance to most people, often providing the main source of meaning, fulfilment and happiness in our lives. So when we have problems to do with our relationships it can feel devastating.

Living with medical conditions

Living with a chronic illness can challenge and undermine the fundamentals of your life. Not only are there immediate medical and physiological issues to face and come to terms with, but a medical condition can also change how you see your place in society, your relationships with your partner, friends and family, your plans and hopes for the future and your sense of self.

Bereavement, loss and grief

Throughout life we will be faced with many forms of loss, from the ending of a relationship to redundancy to the death of a loved one. Losses are inevitably difficult to come to terms with, as is most major change, and yet we need to work through and come to terms with all the difficult feelings that arise if we are to be able to move forward with our lives.   For more information, please see the A-Z of counselling issues on the BACP ‘It’s Good To Talk‘ website. Or you can get in touch with me to discuss your concerns, or to book an initial session. Whatever the difficulties you are facing now, things can change for you. Time spent working through your issues and concerns in counselling, really can make all the difference.