Copyright © 2006 - 2008 Allison Brown

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q. How do I choose a good counsellor?

A. It can be difficult and it needs to be a relationship that can work for both parties. However, you can look for membership of professional bodies, like BACP, COSCA or CCC for example. You could also listen to recommendations from others but should be aware that a counselling relationship that works for one person is not guaranteed to work for another. It does give a reassurance that the counsellor is reputable and offers a service worth recommendation.

You need a counsellor who is not looking for high fees, but one who is concerned about the ethical aspects of their work and their need to be of support and help to other people. You also need a counsellor who you feel you can develop an open and honest relationship with and where you can explore all the issues you want to.

Everyone is human, and people find it potentially easier to work with some people as opposed to others. This is completely natural and means that there may be times when you or your counsellor decide that the relationship will not work. This doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with you or that they aren't a good counsellor, it does mean that you may find it easier to work with someone else. All counsellors will understand this and should help you explore ways to find someone else who could work with you.

I think counselling is, above all, about giving clients an open and honest environment in which to work. If this type of relationship does not exist, for whatever reason, then the counselling will not be beneficial to the client.