Here at MYPAS, our counselling services are based on building a trusting relationship with you. Counselling can help you talk about your worries and help you to manage them in a supportive way. Our counsellors are trained to listen carefully and thoughtfully to you, without judgement.
Our latest blog post comes from Jo, one of our School Counsellors based in East Lothian, on MYPAS counselling sessions being a safe space for you to be heard.
Often, when I meet with someone in counselling, they will accidently let a swear word slip out and then they will be embarrassed and apologise for their language. Some even worry that they might get in trouble for it. I want you to know, you can swear if you want to. I swear sometimes too. It’s perfectly ok if it helps you express the feeling or situation you’re trying to tell me about. Please don’t feel you have to filter yourself in any way for me. I’m not here to judge.
Sometimes, in counselling, people might cry. Whether you’re sharing your story for the first time or the 100th time. Whether you feel them bubbling up or they sneak up and surprise you. Some people are afraid to cry or feel self-conscious. Others might think it’s a sign of weakness or they might be judged for it. I want you to know, you can cry if you want to. I cry sometimes too. Please don’t feel you have to hide any part of yourself for me. I’m not here to judge.
Occasionally, people come to counselling with difficult thoughts, painful thoughts, thoughts that embarrass them or that they don’t understand. Some people find it scary to share those thoughts. They worry they might be judged for them or told that they are bad and wrong. They might worry that they won’t be taken seriously. I want you to know, you can share these thoughts if you want to. I have difficult thoughts sometimes too. Please don’t feel you can’t share these with me. I’m not here to judge.
I want you to know that in counselling, you don’t need to justify yourself, hide yourself or alter yourself in any way. I think the only person that can be the expert of you, is you. You think your thoughts, you feel your feelings and you experience your experiences. I am here to be with you as you process and reflect on these thoughts, feelings and experiences. I’m not here to judge.
It’s ok to be you. I’ll be me too… and you can swear if you want to.
