Trust is something that's built over time. It's my responsibility to show you consistency - same time, same space, same boundaries - so that we develop a professional relationship you can rely on.
It's trusting that it's okay to say thing you’ve never said out loud and it's trusting that you can show up without pretending or wearing a 'mask'.
Not going to lie to you, practising the skill of silence hasn't always been easy! It's meant sometimes sitting with awkwardness or discomfort.
That said, silence is a brilliant tool that gives the client time to process their emotions. Outside of the counselling session, there may not be much space to connect to your inner self without all the daily interruptions - people needing our attention, phones buzzing, to do lists! We as counsellors can give you that time and space.
Silence is our way of showing you, the client, acceptance and trust that you know yourself best.
Silence can also give me time to process what has been said and to gather my own thoughts and feelings before formulating what to say back. In these silences, its amazing to see moments of realisation with clients, where something they said or felt just 'clicked' into place - or they're giving themselves permission to sit and feel for the first time
Treating yourself like a good friend.
Hands up if your inner dialogue can be harsh and critical sometimes (or a lot of the time!) like during hard times or when we've made mistakes
Hands up if you'd not speak to your friends in that unkind way?
A more compassionate thing to do would be to practice talking to ourselves with the same understanding and encouragement that we would a friend who we care about
If you tried this, let me know how it goes for you
Hayle, Cornwall, UK
07506080240
For free tips on managing your wellbeing find me on social media
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