During my time as a counsellor in Basingstoke, I have seen some clients stay with me for extremely long periods, while others only come for two or three sessions. No individual is the same, and everyone has slightly different needs. It could be that a few counselling sessions feel like enough if you are simply looking for a place to blow off steam or process a specific life event. However, when it comes to making genuine meaningful changes to how you feel on a daily basis, two or three sessions isn’t likely to be enough. Which begs the question: how many counselling sessions do I actually need?
The answer, unfortunately, is that it varies from person to person. There is no specific timeframe for a ‘sufficient’ amount of counselling sessions, although sometimes counsellors recommend anywhere between six and 12 meetings as part of a ‘short-term’ counselling plan. However, while we can’t be sure how many sessions are enough, we can say that anything under six isn’t likely to elicit change.
The most important element of any counselling relationship is, well, the relationship - the bond of trust and mutual understanding you develop with your counsellor. It takes time to feel comfortable around a new person, and even longer to speak truthfully to them, and the reality is that it can be a few months before you begin to talk with complete honesty and feel capable of speaking about what lies at the core of your problem, whatever it may be.
Many people don’t realise that counselling is a collaborative process: it is a symbiotic relationship that evolves over time. That back-and-forth process is especially important in counselling, because the relationship that develops between counsellor and client is the main path I use towards gaining an understanding of the personal and interpersonal struggles in your wider life.
Counselling, in this sense, is an investment into your future. It is not easy work; you won’t see benefits right away, or even after a few weeks - a reason why many people stop after just three or four sessions. Persistence and curiosity are two fundamental aspects of a successful counselling relationship. You have to remain invested for longer than a couple of months for there to be actual progress.
Along with it being ‘too hard’, many people give up counselling because they simply cannot afford it, which is completely understandable. With rising energy prices, increases in National Insurance, and other economic factors, the idea of spending £300 on six counselling sessions is simply not viable for most people. However, if you do have some savings and are someone who experiences depression, anxiety, or any other issue that they care deeply about resolving, the money you put towards counselling makes sense. It is an investment into your own wellbeing.
If you are curious to know more about counselling in Basingstoke or online, give me a call or email at any time and I will get back to you.