Heartwork

ADVICE FOR THE CLIENT TO GET THE BEST OUT OF A COUNSELLING SESSION

In my counselling practice, I have realized that many clients come in a state of incongruence which is understandable due to their trauma. Nevertheless, I wish to recommend certain steps to make the counselling process more beneficial. Please do not allow the Counsellor to become personal with you as I have heard a lot of complaints in this regard from female clients about how the male Counsellors try to manipulate and capitalize on the helpless emotional situations of such females. Most females chose to remain silent as they did not want others to know of their trauma. I have heard of a famous young Muslim doctor practicing in leading private hospitals, who has misbehaved with many females. He portrays himself as a hero on social media with a big following. The client must complain to the hospital authorities about this in such situations. Your silence is his license to do more and more damage to unsuspecting female clients.

• Attend the scheduled sessions on time
• Be specific about the concerns that have led you to seek counselling
• Work with your counsellor to establish goals by having complete confidence
• Reflect on the discussions after each session to see in which stage you are
• Be willing to explore new behaviors and changes within and also outside of your sessions.
• Complete the assigned journal writing and other tasks like Relaxation Therapy, DMR, etc.
• Communicate with your counsellor openly when something is bothering you about the session
• Do not keep quiet when the counsellor trespasses boundaries and make a complaint in such instances.
• Most importantly be committed to yourself because this is about you.

M Rhumy Amith
Counselling Psychotherapist - Heartwork Counsellling Clinic