COUNSELLING

When you or a loved one are diagnosed with an occupational illness there can be many feelings and emotions for both patient and next of kin that can be incredibly difficult to comprehend. The diagnosis, treatment and prognosis is a lot to take in and it may be very beneficial for the patient and even the loved ones to consider counselling/therapy.

The NHS defines counselling as a ‘talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with your emotional issues.

Counselling allows individuals to discuss their problems and any difficult feelings that they have. It allows people to talk freely in a safe and confidential environment. They are there to listen and support you. They are not there to tell you what to do, but to help you make your own solutions to your problems and provide you with tools which will help you to resolve them on your own.

Counselling is tailored to your specific needs and can help you cope with mental health issues such as anxiety, depressions, eating disorders, infertility issues, bereavement, relationship breakdown, work-related stress, anger issues, addictions or trauma.

Counselling comes in all different formats, such as face-to-face, individual or group counselling, telephone counselling, via email or on-line counselling and can last for a few weeks or you may require a longer course that could last several months or years.

You can access more information on counselling via the NHS website.