The endings of counselling relationships, like those of all relationships, can be difficult and painful. But they also have the potential to offer great therapeutic benefit to clients whose prior experience of endings has been traumatic. Counsellors too can benefit from a well-handled end to therapeutic work.

There’s some pressure in the more ‘psychologised’ cultures to be open, to share, to tell your story, and it’s easy to find yourself swept along and unthinkingly revealing more than, in retrospect, you want to. There can be a great deal of centredness, self-respect and power in silence.

A friend recently endured a series of counselling sessions which were completely unsatisfying, although at the end of the sessions, my friend thanked the therapist and told him how effective the sessions had been and how much better she felt. What a colossal waste of everybody’s energy and intentions.

A perfect test score, perfect credit, a face without blemishes, maybe even a problem-free life: these are ideals for many. Setting aside the question of whether these goals are achievable, on deeper reflection are they even desirable? Your parents, your teachers, and your bosses all want you to avoid mistakes. Here’s why they have it all wrong.

The same person who visits a dentist regularly, takes their children to the pediatrician for vaccinations, or hires an accountant to help work through the complexities of tax law might resolutely avoid seeing a therapist until the problem becomes critical.

For the therapeutic relationship to be truly effective, it’s vital for therapists to be aware of their own ‘emotional baggage’ in order to help clients understand their own, and that’s why undertaking personal development work is so important.

Have you noticed a few new faces around CounsellingResource.com lately? It’s not your memory playing tricks on you, it’s the four outstanding mental health professionals joining our team.