Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do I need counselling?
2. What is counselling?
3. How does counselling help?
4. Is counselling confidential?
5. Can anyone really recover from a traumatic event?
6. Am I going mad/am I normal?
7. How long does counselling take?
8. How long is a session in Solas Counselling & Psychotherapy?
9. How often does someone attend for counselling?
10. Will I always see the same person?
11. What is the charge for counselling?
1. Why do I need counselling?
All of us, both men and women, experience difficulties and challenges in our lives. Some experiences are too hard to deal with on your own. Maybe you find it difficult to talk with family or friends, or there is a limit to the help they can give.
Counsellors are professionally trained to provide the confidential support necessary to help you heal from the hurt of past or present difficulties and to accompany you on a journey towards a happier and more fulfilling life.
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2. What is counselling?
Counselling is a one-to-one relationship. Its purpose is to provide the support and encouragement necessary to enable a person talk about the experiences and events that have affected that person’s life and their way of being in the world. It is the role of the counsellor to offer a safe and confidential space to enable a person to explore and express their thoughts and feelings, in particular those that prevent that person moving on with their life in a healthy and fulfilling manner.
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3. How does counselling help?
Counselling helps by providing a person with the time and space, not always available in other parts of their lives, to explore their feelings in relation to a particular issue. It is an enormous relief for someone to be able to talk, perhaps for the first time, about what has happened and how it has affected their life. This exploration frequently leads to healing from the suffering that those experiences have generated, fostering greater self understanding and acceptance. The release from past wounds and the development of healthy coping mechanisms for the future enables the person to achieve greater personal fulfillment.
We cannot change our past but we can change how we choose to react to and live out of that place. Through counselling we can resolve the unfinished business of the past so that it no longer has a negative affect how we live in the present.
‘To ignore the past is to loose sight in one eye;
To dwell on the past is to loose sight in both’.
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4. Is counselling confidential?
Yes. In Solas we acknowledge the importance of confidentiality and we take great care to discuss this issue in detail with each person during their first therapy session. You will be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
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5. Can anyone really recover from a traumatic event?
Here in Solas Counselling we are very clear that the answer to that question is yes – people can and do recover from traumatic events and experiences. We have worked with very many clients who have moved beyond the past to fuller and happier lives.
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6. Am I going mad/am I normal?
People under intense stress can question their own well being as they find it difficult to cope with their current circumstances. They can experience nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive memories and high levels of fear and distress. Counselling helps people become aware that these feelings are a normal reaction to the abnormal events they have experienced.
In Solas we look at what resources and support people have in their lives and help them explore their feelings and move beyond their past experiences.
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7. How long does counselling take?
The length of time counselling takes varies from person to person. Everyone is an individual and each person’s experience is unique, so the duration of their counselling cannot be predicted. It can vary from a few weeks up to a few months or longer. Most people feel some benefit even after a few sessions.
It is the choice of the individual whether or not they wish to continue with the counselling process. There will always be time to discuss this with their counsellor. Periodic reviews are offered to mark progress and to look at the future focus of therapy. Ending therapy is discussed and planned in advance.
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8. How long is a session in Solas Counselling & Psychotherapy?
A counselling session normally lasts for one hour. However in certain circumstances the duration may be extended.
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9. How often does someone attend for counselling?
Normally we offer counselling on a weekly basis. This is to allow clients time between sessions to integrate their experience of the session. We believe the pace of counselling is vital and we do not want to rush or overwhelm clients. However, if someone needs more support extra sessions are usually offered.
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10. Will I always see the same person?
Yes. Clients of Solas Counselling will always see the same counsellor and therefore they will be in a position able to develop a trusting and therapeutic relationship with that person.
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11. What is the charge for counselling?
We charge a set fee and we have a limited number of reduced rates for those on a low income.
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