Getting the most from your counsellor

What is counselling?

The feelings you experience as you go through your caring journey can be some of the most confusing and overwhelming you will ever encounter. Medical health staff such as your GP should be able to help with the majority of practical issues relating to the condition of the person you're caring for, but what about the emotional considerations; it's easy to forget it, but emotional wellbeing is every bit as important as the more physical issues. For many, family and friends can help 'lend an ear' (and more often than not a hand too), and can be an invaluable resource in unburdening yourself of the emotional stresses that caring invariably brings about. Someone to listen to you is very important, your local carers' services, social services, or the message boards on this site all offer a place where you can offload. Perhaps, though, for whatever reason, you may not be able to discuss such matters with those you are close to, or feel that you need further support. If this is the case a professionally trained counsellor may be the person to help.

How can it help?

Counselling can help you make sense of your new or ongoing life as a carer, whether in specific areas such as dealing with bereavement or separation from a loved one, or with the more general feelings of stress, anxiety and depression you experience in your caring role. A counsellor could help you to resolve any conflict that exists between you and the one you're caring for and others you are close to, as well as the many other issues affecting the emotional and mental wellbeing of carers. The counselling process varies from one counsellor to another: some may just listen, especially in the early stages, as getting your problems out in the open can be a crucial step towards resolving them. Some may help you along the decision making process by examining with you the options available to you, so that you can make better informed decisions. The type of support you read more