Counseling, or Psychological Consultation, addresses specific personal and relational issues that can be treated without undertaking formal Psychotherapy.
Consulting a counselor is particularly useful in all situations of change and growth (leaving the family unit, marriage, the birth of a child…) that present themselves as “transition” phases and require a necessary reorganization of roles and relationships.
These “life stages” sometimes involve difficulties of various nature, temporary or lasting, that can seriously compromise our well-being. In such occasions, a limited number of sessions with a counselor can help us overcome the impasse and regain serenity.
A Counseling journey, therefore, aims to offer young people and adults a space to:
- clarify difficulties
- reflect on their personal experiences
- evaluate potential choices to be made
During the process, the patient learns to better understand and use their naturally available personal resources; the counselor acts as a “process facilitator” rather than a silent listener or directive advisor. Indeed, the counselor maintains an active, proactive attitude toward their client, stimulating autonomous decision-making abilities and problem-solving capabilities inherent to the individual.
Through the Counseling journey, the person becomes able to:
- identify their objectives more clearly
- become more aware of their resources and personality characteristics
- relate and communicate with others more effectively
- develop a positive and constructive approach to problem-solving
- improve self-confidence and self-motivation abilities
Counseling sessions are generally spaced over time (fortnightly or monthly), allowing the person to reactivate their resources and observe their effects. The duration of the intervention may vary depending on the issue to be addressed, but it is generally much shorter than Psychotherapy.
