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British Association of Counselling & PsychotherapyStudent Counselling

 

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What about talking to my friends?

Many of the reasons that make counselling effective also apply to talking with friends. Therefore a talk with a friend may well be helpful and counsellors often encourage clients to use their social support network. However there are some drawback to using friends as your only confidants and support.
  • Friends might feel a conflict of loyalty and find it hard to keep things confidential
  • Friends might become upset themselves by what you are telling them
  • Friends might be put out if you don't accept their advice
  • If you need lots of help friends might begin to feel resentful and you might feel guilty Counsellors have had training and have formal support and a work structure which helps them to deal with upsetting and difficult situations; friends may begin to feel overburdened, especially if they have their own problems too.
  • Finally, sometimes we need slightly more specialist help than friends can provide.


FAQ Topics

Student FAQ Topics

What does the Counsellor do?

What kinds of problems can I talk to a counsellor about?

What do I say?

Will the counsellor give me advice?

Do I have to pay?

What will the counsellor think of me - will they think badly of me for getting into a mess?

How can it be right to be in need of help?

Doesn't asking for counselling mean admitting failure?

What if I still feel ashamed of my problems?

How confidential is counselling?

What are the limits of confidentiality?

Should I be worried about the limits of confidentiality?

Where can I get further information?

Does it work for everybody?

What if I definitely want a male or female counsellor?

Will the counsellor have experienced problems like mine?

Wouldn't I be better to try and sort it out for myself?

What about talking to my friends?

Some people have suggested I just have a stiff drink and pull myself together.

Does seeing a counsellor mean I am ill?

Is counselling like psychiatry?