The road to recovery

An effective counsellor or psychotherapist:

- understands depression and how to lift it

- helps immediately with anxiety problems including trauma (post traumatic stress disorder) or other fear related symptoms

- is prepared to give advice is needed or asked for

- will not use jargon or "psychobabble"

- will not dwell unduly on the past

- will be supportive when difficult feelings emerge, but will not encourage people to get emotional beyond the normal need to 'let go' of any bottled problems

- may assist individuals in developing social skills so that their needs for affection, friendship, pleasure, intimacy, connection to the wider community, etc, can be better fulfilled

- will help people to draw on their own resources (which may prove greater than they thought)

- will be considerate of the effects of counselling on the people close to the individual concerned

- may teach deep relaxation

- may help people think about their problems in a new and more empowering way

- will use a wide range of techniques

- may set things to be done between sessions

- will take as few sessions as possible

- will increase self-confidence and independence and make sure clients feel better after every consultation

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© Human Givens Publishing Limited and Iain Caldwell (2004)

References

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> More information can be found in the following books, both by Joe Griffin and Ivan Tyrrell

Dreaming Reality: How dreaming keeps us sane or can drive us mad

Human Givens: A new approach to emotional health and clear thinking

> You can find out more about psychosis and the new thinking on its causes at the following MindFields College events:

Understanding the mental health continuum Seminar

Psychosis: and positive strategies for Recovery Workshop