Many clients who visit my practice in Kelowna, BC ask the question, "Just what is counseling anyway?" That’s a simple question to answer. Counseling can be defined as a collaborative effort between a client and a counselor to identify goals. It is essential that this collaborative effort is based in open, honest communication; therefore it is a journey that an individual must take voluntarily and without any external pressure or being forced to do so. If there is any undue pressure to commit to counseling, the net results will always be biased and unfulfilling. The process requires that the individual and a counselor will work together to discover what it is that is preventing the individual from making their life what they feel it could, or should, be. It is a process that empowers individuals to regain control of their lives.

Counseling provides a safe and confidential environment for an individual to express their feelings and emotions. The individual is safe to express any feeling and emotion that may be causing stress in their life. Most importantly, a counselor will never share the content of what the individual reveals or describes within the counseling sessions.

It is a counselor’s job to listen to the individual and encourage them to seek a solution or solutions to whatever problems that are experiencing in their lives. Counselors remain impartial to any issues that arise and they do not judge the individual against any preset moral or ethical standard. Ultimately, they simply reflect a client’s concerns, worries or issues so that they are able to see these problems from another perspective.

Do You Need Counseling?

If you are having problems, issues or dilemmas that are getting in the way of the life you wish to live, counseling is an active form of addressing, clarifying and dealing with what may be the cause.

If you are facing one or more of the following concerns, counseling may be an avenue for you to explore:

· You have a difficulty expressing your emotional concerns.

· You need help identifying issues that are at play in your life.

· You desire to move forward with your life but feel something or someone is holding you back.

· You are caught in limiting beliefs.

· You experience anxiety problems.

· You are experiencing major life changes.

· You are dealing with separation or divorce and especially concerned over children involved

· You are experience loss or grief.

· You have no one that you can confide in.

There are many additional reasons you may wish to seek counseling; they do not always need to be major issues. But whatever the issue, you can be confident that your discussions and sessions will not be shared with anyone and you have complete confidentiality.