The Beauty of Counselling
The Beauty of Counselling Christian John Liberati
The feeling of satisfaction and deep fulfilment that I feel when a client has successfully processed and moved on from past emotional issues is immense, worthy more than gold or diamonds. I also appreciate all the other aspects of the counselling journey as well, the beginning middle and end. That is why I practice as a counsellor. I believe that we all have the ability to offer some skill in life, preferably to help society and people in general and to enhance lives and wellbeing.
Life is precious and relatively very short. When I am with a client perhaps processing a deep wound from the past (in a safe client led manner) I sometimes sense something of a higher nature in the room, as if inspiring and encouraging a positive successful outcome. I can sometimes sense these moments (though they may last only seconds) that remind me of how important and life changing counselling often is. A life can change, grow and evolve in a moments realization, a eureka moment that completely releases a past prison cell concept to be released forever. However, I am very aware that counselling and the holist view of life are separate, but at times they can appear very close as well.
In old times it was the tribe shaman who would guide the initiate to a stronger sense of self via techniques that are still used today. They were the forerunners of counselling. Sometimes what appears to be a very simple technique or exercise can be the most effective and beneficial. Dreams and nature are only some of them. I appreciate how nature can reflect back deep insights to the client when working outdoors in natural environments with trees and animals.
The Transpersonal Counselling approach focuses on the spiritual and transcendent aspects of being human. This approach explores the connection between the individual and the cosmos and aims to assist individuals connect with their higher selves or a higher power. I believe that everyone has the ability to develop their spiritual awareness and knowledge, and can benefit from guidance and support on their own unique journey via counselling.
The seminal work of Carl Rogers helped the counselling world to develop to a very high level of quality and efficiency. He inspired so many therapists of all approaches with his three core conditions; empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence. These appear to be simple but need to be used with skill and wisdom. Where would the counselling world be without Carl Rogers?
There are many counselling approaches with many techniques, and each counsellor is drawn to what feels most affective and practical to them. Many wise pioneers of varying therapeutic approaches have graced this world with their own unique wisdom and skill. They have helped to develop therapeutic techniques and concepts that continue today to inspire counsellors assist clients overcome past trauma and repeating stuck patterns, releasing them forever from their prison forever. I am deeply inspired by the best of them with their ideas and approaches, such as Carl Rogers, Carl Yung, Fritz and Laura Perls, Eric Byrne and Roberto Assagioli.
Visualization can be a valuable tool to identify what are the underlying issues, and can be especially effective when combined with grounding breathing. Many insights can be received when utilizing grounding breathing that can then be explored further with visualization. This can save much time talking and point straight to underlying root causes of presenting issues.
I first encountered Inner Child work in the early nineties with well-known American therapist John Bradshaw’s book ‘Home Coming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child’. He was a popular guest on the Opera Winfrey Show back then, and a firm favourite of all my family with his insights of Inner Child work. However, Carl Jung originally introduced the concept of the Inner Child, which as he said is still a part of our lives and is waiting to be reclaimed via communicating with each other via inner visualization. It is wonderful and uplifting to reconnect and makes friends again with your inner Child via visualization. Your Inner Child can then very often supply the client with valuable information regarding deeper unknown feelings and needs, and also supply tools to help process and overcome them.
When we explore the human psyche with its conscious and unconscious processes, using various methods and techniques, I feel that the line between counselling and energy work sometimes seems to can overlap. Where do insights pop up from, and why does visualization tap into so many important insights and cathartic healing discoveries? I’m not sure, but I am definitely grateful for their productive help.
On the other hand counselling can sometimes be about what is known as psycho-education, where clients learn how to re-educate themselves about healthy adult behaviour. We all have an ego that is neither good nor bad, it just is. However, if the ego goes unmonitored for a significant amount of time it can play up like a naughty child or monkey and cause all number of issues. I help clients to check in with their ego to help to recognise and let go of non-productive behaviour and negative habits, which then leads to more productive adult healthy behaviour.
I feel that counsellors are the backbone of the mental health services in society whom help people to move on and live healthier happier lives. We all find life can seem challenging at times and counsellors are always available to help us find our way back into life. Life is a never ending journey of self-improvement and self-development and counselling enables people to do just that in a more focused and productive manner.
