We all have times in our lives when life gets on top of us. We may have stress at work, have conflicts in our relationships, feel depressed or anxious, or feel lacking in confidence or self-esteem. Often friends and family can offer support, but sometimes this is not enough. Sometimes we need professional support. What can be valuable in counselling is the opportunity to express yourself to someone who is separate from the rest of your life, who won't be overwhelmed or shocked by what you say, and won't tell you what to do.

Client and counsellor, through a confidential and supportive relationship, meet on a regular basis to talk about the client's issues. The aim is to help the client overcome emotional difficulties and free her or him from self-destructive ways of feeling, thinking and behaving. This is done through helping the client gain insight into and, therefore, control over her or his life. Counselling will not involve advice, but will concentrate on exploration, understanding and experimentation with new ways of thinking and behaving.

Counsellors help clients see their problems from a different perspective, so they can gain greater understanding of themselves, discover their inner strengths and develop new strategies for dealing with challenges in life.

The main professional body that oversees counsellors in the UK is the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), which guarantees that it’s members work within strict ethical guidelines.

Counselling is an effective approach in overcoming a wide variety of problems including the following issues:

• Abuse
• Addictions
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Body image
• Bullying
• Compulsive lying
• Depression
• Drug abuse
• Gambling
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Jealousy
• Low self-esteem
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Personality Disorders
• Phobias
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Relationship difficulties
• Sexuality
• Shame
• Stress
• Trauma
• Work/life balance