Hey everyone, I hope you’re all well today. This is my ninth new style of blog. So far, so good, I’m hoping you’re all enjoying it.

I’m going to have guests answer some questions and hope it helps someone out there.

Today, my ninth guest is a lady called Sam. Without seeming condescending, for a friend and a counsellor i think she seems pretty down to earth. I’ve had a podcast with her, and she’s very funny and knows her stuff.

Question 1.

Sam if I remember correctly you worked in the NHS and now you’re a counsellor, what made you switch career paths?

Good question. A number of reasons really

1. I had a situation in the NHS which had negatively affected my own mental health. I had my own counselling and this sparked my interest.
2. After the negative impact of workplace bullying and stress , seeing the lack of empathy I lost interest in working for the NHS.
3. I was at a time in my life where I was craving a change / I wanted to work with people but in a different environment and in a different way.

Question 2.

We had a discussion about matching the right counsellor with the right patient, do you think it’s important to do that?

There are a couple of important factors here.

1. That the therapist has the expertise to deal with the presenting issue of the client. If they do not, it could actually cause more damage. Ensuring your therapist has the correct training is important. I think a lot of people don’t think to ask this question,
2. That you feel comfortable with your therapist. You have to feel that it is someone you feel comfortable with and you can build a rapport with. If this is lacking, it will be hard for you to open up and be honest.

Question 3.

I saw a post from you asking for no reviews, this really got me thinking. I’d love to know why you decided this?

I struggle with the concept of reviews for talking therapies. I realise this is my own personal opinion. We have got used to being a society that asks for feedback, and that’s fine, in Therapy I struggle, and the UKCP do not encourage the practice of gaining feedback.
Why:
1.you are promising confidentiality and a safe space, most of the work you do requires vulnerability – you are then asking them to give feedback, which I realise can be anonymous but is this then confidential.

2. The therapy is about the person not you – the therapist is not looking for their own external validation – feedback is asking for this kind of validation.
3. I do not want to place my clients in a position that they feel obliged and may not wish to do this – therefore why ask.

Thank you Sam for taking part, and giving some great answers.

This new blog of mine is coming to you every Thursday or Friday from 9.30 am UK time.

Thank you for reading, and if you want to take part, please drop a comment or leave me an email.