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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Counselling - A Beginners Guide

4 replies

CardiffUniversityNetballTeam · 12/10/2014 19:40

I have been going through some shit recently. I do have a thread on here about it but I wanted to start this one as a separate thing.
I have split with my partner of 8 years. From reading stuff on here and other parts of the web I think he was EA. He was, and still is, certainly, a tosser.
The last few weeks have been particularly tough and I am lucky enough to work for a company who provide something called an employee assistance programme. As part of that I have been referred for six free counselling session, to talk my shit through so to speak. My first one is this week.
However, I very never done anything like this before and I don't really know what to expect. I have spoken to the lady on the phone and she seemed very nice. My appointment is at her house. Can anyone with an experience of counselling please give me some idea of what it will be like? Will we just sit there and talk? Will she ask me questions, and what might they be? What happens if I get upset? Is there a couch, or is that just on TV?
Any and all info and advice on this topic is greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 12/10/2014 19:53

Counselling is led by the subject ie. you. The counsellor is there to listen, maybe ask a few questions and help you find your own solutions rather than judge or tell you what to do.

CardiffUniversityNetballTeam · 12/10/2014 19:58

Thanks Cogito.
So I will just talk basically and she might ask me a few questions? I don't know where I'm going to start really. I guess I'm a bit worried about it. Part of me even thinks that she might tell me to get a grip, even though I know that absolutely isn't going to happen!!

OP posts:
something2say · 12/10/2014 19:58

It will be a special time of the week where you get to talk all of this and more through with a kind stranger who will listen. It's normal to get upset and cry. She will have tissues. Sorry to hear you are strugglingxx

Longtalljosie · 12/10/2014 22:15

She might ask open ended questions like "why do you think that was?" or "how did that make you feel?" But she won't cross examine you. Your first session will probably be laying out the parameters for the six sessions - what you hope to achieve, and she'll take a lot of notes on who the main players in your life are, so when you say "Bob is a big help" she knows who the hell Bob is!

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