Q&A
When do you need psychological counseling?
Psychological counseling is used when one no longer knows how to cope with stressful life situations. We address internal and external conflicts in the areas of love, work, and community.
In psychological circles, we fundamentally distinguish between coaching, counseling, and therapy. If you were a car, the coach would make sure you got the right tires for your driving pleasure. The counselor would make sure everything is running smoothly with the fuel injection. And you'd be referred to a therapist if a complete overhaul is necessary.
We all benefit from each other's work. We help and support each other because we are all focused on one thing: the client.
How do I know that psychological counseling is right for me?
You can tell by your personal satisfaction with it...
...how your life is going.
...who you share your life with.
...whether you live your life in accordance with your beliefs.
You can easily test it yourself:
On a scale of 1-100 (1 = totally dissatisfied, 100 = completely satisfied), consider your ideal personal satisfaction level. For example, my ideal personal satisfaction level is 70.
Now ask yourself what satisfaction value you would give to the three topics mentioned above.
Evaluation: The further you are from your personal ideal level of happiness, the more likely you are to benefit from psychological counseling. But in principle, everyone can learn something from psychological counseling and benefit from it.
P.S.: If you have already been diagnosed with a disorder according to a recognized classification system for medical or mental diagnoses, you should be treated by a specialist or therapist. In consultation with your treating physician/therapist, working with a psychological counselor can be used as a complementary approach and can contribute positively to your recovery.
What if something comes up that I don't want?
Our brain is an incredible instrument, equipped with built-in protective functions. When we experience something that we aren't (yet) able to process emotionally, the brain activates its protective functions and protects us from excessive stress.
In my counseling work, it's important to first build strengths and consolidate confidence in oneself and one's abilities. If a painful experience then surfaces during the counseling process, it can be a sign that the client is resilient enough to consciously process the experience. The brain is dropping the need for a protective barrier.
Violently breaking individual boundaries makes little sense, as there is a risk of (re-)traumatization. As a counselor, I respect all boundaries and only go as far as my clients want and allow.
How long does a psychological counseling process take?
This varies greatly. In general, the duration of a counseling process depends on the depth of the problem, the client's cooperation, and the vibe between client and counselor.
In my experience, a psychological counseling process lasts on average 6-10 months or 5-12 sessions, depending on the client situation.
From the consultant’s point of view, the consulting process is completed when the client’s order has been fulfilled and no follow-up order has been placed.