Counselling myth #5 – counselling inevitably goes on for years

Well, it could.  But it doesn’t have to.  If you’ve got a specific issue that you want to discuss and if we work in a focused and efficient way, we can be done in 4 or 6 sessions.  Sometimes the work we do starts to touch on other, deeper matters.  If this is the case, it’s up to you whether we extend the number of sessions to explore those matters.  Usually, I ask a new client to commit to 6 sessions (once we've had the initial “getting to know you” meeting).  This is to give you time to settle into what is a unique relationship, to start to trust me and to feel comfortable enough to be deeply honest.  Some people take longer than that to get to the real heart of the matter but not everyone does.  As I’ve said before it’s up to you how much time you devote to counselling.  If you do stop, you can always come back later if you want to.  Often, a break is good and I try to be flexible if my diary allows.  I’m ethical: I don’t want to keep you in therapy when you don’t need to be there.  So, don’t let the fear of acquiring a Woody Allen-style addiction to therapy stop you seeking help if you think you might benefit from it – a short burst might be just the thing.