Did you know that even your Counsellor goes to counselling?
Yes, that’s right, Counsellors go and see Counsellors.
There can be a lot of stigma and misperceptions around counselling and therapy. In the past, media has often portrayed it as a negative experience and associated with individuals that were highly distressed, unstable, and even “crazy.” Not your average everyday person. For a long time, many have had this perception as a barrier to receiving the support they need.
It is hard to be vulnerable with others, and we can be nervous and uncertain facing our own fears and uncertainties. But we cannot always go forth without guidance, and the support from our loved ones is not always what is available and not always what you need. Sometimes you need support from how to connect with these loved ones.
There are many reasons why one would reach out and go to a Counsellor. It is an individual experience and a sacred space of trust and vulnerability. As a Clinical Counsellor, this is where the importance of seeing my own Clinical Counsellor resides. Separating what is mine from what is yours is an important ethical practice that Counsellors are required to uphold. We all need support and face uncertainties. Counsellors do not have all the answers and are not the key to unlocking your deepest insecurities and secrets. They are there to hold space for you to explore your thoughts and experiences with someone you do not have to see in your personal life. A sounding board for you to build boundaries, challenge your narratives and thought patterns that are no longer serving you, and cultivate self-compassion.
If you have not tried counselling or therapy before, reading this post is a great start as you are piquing your curiosity and exploring. It can be intimidating and scary to take the step into a counselling space for the first time. But remember: Counsellors walk through the same door and see their own Counsellor for the first time too. We are vulnerable, human, and ultimately, just like you.
Until next time,
- Bethany
