Counselling

What Types of Counselling services Are Available?

The most effective counselling programmes are those that are tailored to the specific needs of the patient. A mental health counsellor from iGP creates a personalised plan based on the information gathered during an initial consultation with the patient. From there, a range of counselling formats may be considered.

Individual Counselling

An individual counselling session consists of a one-to-one conversation between the mental health counsellor and the patient. This is the most common approach, as it fosters trust, supports privacy and alleviates the patient's anxiety.

Group Counselling

Group counselling involves two or more patients being counselled at the same time. This is a popular approach for addiction issues, as it facilitates the support and empathy of fellow patients. However, some people feel uncomfortable sharing their innermost thoughts with strangers.

Remote Counselling

Whether for logistical reasons or a need to minimise anxiety, some sufferers prefer remote counselling sessions - either over the phone or via a video conferencing platform. If you struggle to find spare time for counselling or you want to try this type of talk therapy before committing in the long term, remote counselling is a very good option.

What Should I Expect from Counselling?

Opening up your innermost thoughts and feelings to a counsellor might feel intimidating at first. However, an experienced and highly qualified mental health therapist from iGP will do everything they can to put you at ease.

Counselling is a journey that can take several months or years. And every journey begins with an initial consultation. You will be asked a series of questions, as your therapist will want to understand your symptoms and how they are affecting you. The information gathered at this early stage will be used to create a personalised care plan.

The early questions might include:

• Why do you need counselling?
• How is your current situation affecting your condition?
• Can you talk to me about your personal history?
• What mental health symptoms are you living with?

There will be a little housekeeping to get out of the way during your first session. For example, you might be asked to commit to a schedule of dates and times. Your therapist may also set out a few ground rules, including how the patient/counsellor relationship works and the basic principles of the confidentiality agreement you will enter into.

A good counsellor will be able to identify the signs of anxiety and distress, so try not to worry about getting upset - this is part of the process. Also part of the process is asking questions, so don't be afraid to stop the conversation to do so.

Be as honest and open as you can about your feelings. The more information you share, the more you will get from your sessions.

What Are the Main Benefits of Counselling?

How well you respond to counselling depends on a range of factors, such as the condition you are suffering from and its severity. But the success of your mental health therapy also depends on how open you are to the process. Give everything, and you are more likely to reap the benefits.

There are countless benefits associated with counselling programmes, but here are a few of the most powerful:

• You are given a safe space in which to share your feelings
• You can be honest and upfront with someone who won't judge you
• You are persuaded to look within yourself for insights into the root causes of your problems
• You are given tools to deal with your most powerful emotions

What Mental Health Conditions Can Be Treated with Counselling?

Counselling is designed to help you cope, process or manage issues from occurrences in your past. That makes it a highly effective talk therapy for the following mental health conditions:

• Addiction
• Adolescents
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Bulimia
• CFS
• Chronic Pain
• Couples Therapy
• Depression
• Habit Disorders
• Health Anxiety
• Low Self Esteem
• OCD
• Panic Attacks
• Phobias
• Post Natal Depression
• PTSD
• Sleep Disorders
• Social Anxiety
• Work Related Stress

For further information about mental health conditions that we treat please click the link below.

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