Psychological counseling
We go through several difficult or trying situations and periods in our life. These can often be linked to transitions or crises that are often detrimental, nevertheless, carry the seeds of renewal. Adolescence, the start of our career, marriage, the birth of our children, changing workplaces, a divorce or the death of a loved one and so on are all events that challenge and drain our mental resources. Often these mental resources seem inadequate and we experience a desperate crisis. When the obstacles seem larger than our resources can enable us to overcome, we might need some kind of psychological intervention.
It is important to recognize that
-> many other people have gone through the same
-> we always have alternatives, at least on a mental level
-> there is support and understanding available
In simpler cases - We might only need guidance about our alternatives and their consequences. We see conflict of interests, but our options are definite, clearly visible and realistic.
In more complicated cases - We can't see so clearly and our alternatives are indefinite. We can't imagine the consequences, good and bad decisions are not so clearly differentiated.
In serious cases - Strong emotional conflict is felt inside. We experience huge tension, we don't understand what is happening and don't even know what we want or if we do know, they seem impossible to achieve. Reality seems far away and we are the prisoners of our emotions and unrealistic desires.
Therefore, if you feel it would be easier with a counselor/psychologist to
- change your situation
- overcome an emotional crisis
- regain your peace of mind
- become a more effective communicator
- tolerate or solve your family problems
- reduce or solve conflicts at work
do not hesitate to contact us.
What is psychological counseling?
In our everyday life we rarely get undivided attention form those around us. The counseling professional provides exactly this and more. By creating a warm, accepting atmosphere she/he helps us to open up and disclose our emotions, which - in itself - reduces tension.
Besides this, disclosing our feelings leads to a better understanding of them and also to a more realistic assessment of our situation. After this, the client will be able to find new ways of thinking and see alternatives.
An essential step is to turn our problems into needs, which makes it possible to set our goals - a crucial part of psychological counseling (and any other areas of life). An important criterion for setting realistic goals is to harmonise our desires with reality.
Finally, to achieve our goals we might need to acquire and practise new abilities, such as
- the early recognition of problematic situations
- communicating our needs and be empathic to others
- asserting our basic rights
- self-comforting strategies
The counseling process hopefully helps the client to some form of relief in connection with the conflict situation.
A model of the counseling process:
a warm, accepting atmosphere
the client's self disclosure
a better clarification of emotions
the recognition of irrational beliefs and thoughts
a more realistic assessment of the situation
turning problems into needs (what do I want/need to achieve?)
setting goals
acquiring and practising necessary, new mental abilities
new ways of behaviour and communication
When do we recommend counseling?
The key to this is: you should seek professional assistance when a problem or issue becomes so significant that it disturbs - in any way - the way you live. Therefore, if our prevailing bad mood prevents us from getting out of bed for a longer period of time, or we are not able to take our minds off the stressful work situations, worse still, we can't sleep because of this, we might need the help of a counselor.
Why is a counselor needed?
The counselor differs from our friends and acquaintances, however supportive they might be or however willingly they might listen to us. He is not concerned in the problem and can objectively relate to and look at it. He gives undivided attention and thus he can help feelings to surface that the client might not have been aware of.
The counselor often mirrors the words and sentences of the client, as a result, the latter is able to express his feelings more precisely and powerfully. Meanwhile, and this is one of the greatest assets of counseling, the client's tension is reduced as the counselor now carries the emotional burden with the client.
Who and how can we help?
Our services concern mental health, the damage of which can cause suffering similar to physical illness.
If you have had a prolonged mental health or life management problem or conflict, which seems to be beyond your power, it is likely that you require the assistance of a professional.
Besides providing direct personal mental health services, we would like to make it easier for those looking for such services to find the appropriate professional
- from among our colleagues or
- from the wider professional community if we know someone more suitable for your needs.
Who are we
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