What do Counsellors do?

About counselling

Counselling is a process where people talk about concerns confidentially with a trained professional. Counsellors primarily rely on therapeutic dialogue with clients and may also use creative therapies such as art, music, and play therapies.

Support for counselling

Research suggests counselling positively alters brain functioning. In some areas such as depression, counselling has been demonstrated to be as effective as medication, but without the negative side effects.

What counsellors help with

Counsellors assist people with a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, addictions, grief and loss, abuse, relationship issues, trauma, and many more. In addition, some people use counselling for personal development, career guidance, and life coaching to maximise their strengths and potential.

Who counsellors help

Registered counsellors work with individuals (children, teens and adults) or groups (couples, families) to assist them in the process of self-growth and development with the intention of reaching their own potential. Guiding clients towards happier and meaningful lives is their purpose.

Contexts counsellors work

This wide range of possible activities sees counsellors working within many different workplaces and teams. They work in hospitals and rehabilitation centres, with agencies offering relationship abuse or trauma counselling, as counsellors in educational settings ranging from elementary to high schools and through to university. Counsellors also work as part of a team in client support roles such as within employment agencies. Some counsellors work in private practice, often in conjunction with other counsellors or medical practitioners and psychologists.