Life brings challenges to all of us and most people feel worried or depressed at some point in their lives. Although we can often work our way through problems, they can sometimes become overwhelming. Friends and family may be supportive but many people prefer not to share the intimate details of their lives with them. People may also find it difficult to talk to friends and family about personal difficulties because they are worried about being judged, hurting the other person’s feelings, or becoming a burden to them. Friends and family may try to make the person feel better by telling them that everything is ok, or that there are others who are worse off, but this doesn’t help to resolve the issue.

Counsellors and Psychotherapists are trained professionals who listen carefully to your problems, help you to see things more clearly, and support you while you find your own solutions. The Counsellor / Psychotherapist will never put you under pressure to do anything but will help you find solutions that are realistic and workable for you. The relationship between an individual and their Counsellor / Psychotherapist is confidential and is based on respect and trust: a person can talk freely and openly to a professional counsellor in a way that is seldom possible with a friend or family member.

Counselling and Psychotherapy offers the opportunity to express difficult feelings such as anger, fear, and jealousy in a safe, supportive environment. It can enable you to discover the reasons for negative feelings, help you through challenging times, and provide better coping skills for the future. Counselling and Psychotherapy can be used to address a wide range of problems such as emotional stress, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, parenting issues, grief, and abuse.

Anybody can benefit from Counselling/Psychotherapy; and asking for support does not mean there is something wrong with you. People decide to see a Counsellor/Psychotherapist for many different reasons; from everyday issues to more serious concerns. You may be struggling with problems such as unemployment, loss of a loved one, or a family conflict, and finding it hard to cope on your own. Sometimes past traumatic events can keep coming back, affecting a person’s ability to function properly.

Emotional problems seldom go away if we ignore them but tend to grow and affect us more deeply as we get older, so it makes sense to deal with them as soon as possible. A Counsellor/Psychotherapist cannot prescribe any medication but can, with your permission work with other health care professionals, such as your GP or even psychiatrist to develop a more comprehensive treatment plan.

For more information about Counselling and Psychotherapy, or to make an appointment for a private consultation please contact Marianne Gurnee, Counsellor & psychotherapist at the Lismore Clinic, Lismore, Co. Waterford, on 087 356 1605.