How Does Counselling work here at Crystal Life Counselling?

If you’ve read our post on what to expect from counselling, you might be intrigued to understand more about how counselling works. We’ve written this blog for people who are considering, or about to embark on, counselling therapy sessions.

We’re going to explore two common counselling techniques, both forms of talking therapy used by our team at Crystal Life Counselling (CLC). One looks back at the past and the other deals with present day emotions and behaviours. We’ll look at what’s involved, what it’s used for and how each one can help.

What is Psychodynamic counselling therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy helps you to identify the unconscious thoughts and defence mechanisms that may be preventing you from healing. A lot of the time, these are thoughts and behaviours you have been storing up since you were young.

We use psychodynamic therapy in a variety of scenarios, with both adults and children from the age of 4. It’s particularly helpful for people going through bereavement, depression and anxiety, or if you’re stuck and simply need to find a way to move on with your life.

How psychodynamic therapy works

Your counsellor will encourage you to think about your past experiences, often stored in the unconscious mind from a young age, and explore them fully. Together you will talk about how these experiences or thoughts hamper or help your route to healing. With your counsellor’s support, you will build coping strategies based on what has worked for you in the past.

Through sharing your thoughts and talking about your experiences you’ll learn a lot about yourself and your strengths and weaknesses. More importantly, you’ll understand why you feel the way you do and react in a certain way.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a structured form of talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and act.

It’s a long name so let’s break it down

Cognitive describes how you think – the way your brain works, Behavioural is the way you act and behave, Therapy is talking about both of these to find solutions that work for you!

CBT helps you to explore the connection between how you think and behave. It helps you to identify how making changes in your thoughts and actions could help you manage your anxieties.

CBT is a useful for clients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of a particular life event or something that was done to you. It can also help you to manage overwhelm, negative thoughts and feelings, stress, depression, perinatal anxiety, and change unhelpful or unrealistic thought patterns and behaviours.

How CBT works

Rather than reflecting on past experience, CBT deals with present day thoughts and behaviours. Your counsellor will encourage you to talk about your feelings and emotions and explore these.

It might feel uncomfortable at times. But remember, you’re in a safe, private space with your counsellor and nothing you share will go beyond those four walls.

With the help of your counsellor, you will identify changes you can make to improve your current situation and state of mind. They will ask you to practise making changes to your actions and thoughts in your day-to-day life, and to share how you got on.

The idea is to build up the frequency of the changes until they become a daily habit and help you to improve or enhance your life. Once you finish your counselling sessions, the hope is you will continue using these new habits until they become part of your new mindset. Part of the new You.

Low Cost, Affordable Counselling in Bolton at Crystal Life Counselling 

These are just two of the many life-changing counselling techniques you might experience with Crystal's counselling support. We offer affordable counselling across the town of Bolton and beyond, helping clients across the North West to manage a range of mental health issues from anger management to bereavement. Take a look at our Services to learn more.