What is counseling?
The feelings you experience as you go through your caring journey can
be some olf the most confusing and overwhelming you will ever encounter. Medical health
staff such as your GP should be able to help with the majority of practical
issues relating to the condition of the person you're caring for, but what about
the emotional considerations; it's easy to forget it, but emotional wellbeing is
every bit as important as the more physical issues.
For many, family and friends can help 'lend an ear' (and more often than not
a hand too), and can be an invaluable resource in unburdening yourself of the
emotional stresses that caring invariably brings about. Someone to listen to you
is very important, your local careers' services, social services, or the message
boards on this site all offer a place where you can offload.
Perhaps, though, for whatever reason, you may not be able to discuss such
matters with those you are close to, or feel that you need further support. If
this is the case a professionally trained counselor may be the person to
help.
How can it help?
Counseling can help you make sense of your new or ongoing life as a career,
whether in specific areas such as dealing with bereavement or separation from a
loved one, or with the more general feelings of stress, anxiety and depression
you experience in your caring role.
A counselor could help you to resolve any conflict that exists between you
and the one you're caring for and others you are close to, as well as the many
other issues affecting the emotional and mental wellbeing of careers.
The counseling process varies from one counselor to another: some may just
listen, especially in the early stages, as getting your problems out in the open
can be a crucial step towards resolving them. Some may help you along the
decision making process by examining with you the options available to you, so
that you can make better informed decisions. The type of support you get will be
a combination of the particular problems you face and the counselor's own
style.
Finding a counselor that is right for you
Your local careers center, GP or social services should be able to give you
further advice on counseling and help you to find a counselor, but how do you
know that the one you choose is right for you? Well, on top of the more
fundamental considerations like whether or not your counselor has recognized
academic qualifications, adheres to a professional code of conduct and has a
complaints procedure, you should check whether they have the necessary
experience in the area in which you require support. Some charities for specific
illnesses offer counseling and support groups aimed at those affected by the
specific condition; you may find the empathy and experience of such support more
beneficial in getting to the root of your problems.
Finally, you should meet or speak with the counselor before committing
yourself, to make sure you feel at ease with them, as you will probably be
discussing personal and often sensitive information.
Alternatives sources of counseling and support
Attending a support group, where you discuss your feelings with other careers
whose lives have been affected by the same problems, can be a great way to work
through your troubles, realize you're not alone, and make new friends along the
way.
You shouldn't expect counseling to solve all your problems all at once, but
as a part of a wider network of support, it can help you to cope with the
problems you do have. Finally, with counseling, like with most things, more
often than not you get out what put in. If you can frankly and honestly discuss
your problems and make the most of the advice and support on offer you may find
counseling an important part of how you cope with caring.