Mental health condition or mental health well-being?

Is counselling just for those with a mental health condition or good mental health well-being?

The 2014 Ipsos Mori survey carried out by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) suggests that the stigma of counselling in the past has lessened, with more and more people considering counselling as part of good mental health well-being, and not due to only being diagnosed with a mental health condition**.

How many of us consider ourselves as caring and supportive people to our family, friends and work colleagues and try to help them in the best possible way we can? We care about their mental health well-being – being a listening ear - talking about our everyday worries can be very supportive and we feel listened to and cared for. Sometimes though an outside perspective can be helpful in gaining a deeper insight into your problems than our well-intentioned friends can offer.

A counsellor, professionally trained to help you explore uncomfortable thoughts, will support you with issues such as relationship problems, work stress, self-worth and the anxiety that comes alongside that, can be very helpful in looking at your problems from a different perspective and guide you in the direction you feel is right for you.

Counselling can be hard work and it’s important to find the right kind of therapist you feel you will bond with and that you can trust with your innermost thoughts when you are feeling vulnerable.  An experienced counsellor offers empathy, which means they have the capacity to look at the world through your eyes to help you feel truly listened to and understood.

Counselling offers long-term benefits, giving you increased self-awareness and helping you find new life-skills such as effective coping strategies to help you build the life you want.

**British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy – Media Centre, July 2014