What to do if counselling doesn’t feel like it’s working
Counselling doesn’t always feel helpful straight away, and sometimes it can feel harder before it feels better. Here is how to tell the difference, and what you can do.
Feeling worse can be part of it
Talking about difficult things can stir up feelings, especially early on. That is often part of the process. But you shouldn’t feel unsafe, judged or ignored.
Talk to your counsellor about it
It can feel awkward, but telling your counsellor that something isn’t working is one of the most useful things you can do. Good counsellors welcome this feedback and will adjust how they work. You could say what you hoped for, what feels missing, or whether the pace feels too fast or slow.
It’s fine to change counsellor
The relationship with your counsellor matters a great deal. If it doesn’t feel right after a few sessions, it is completely fine to look for someone else. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, although an ending session can be helpful.
If something has gone wrong
If you are unhappy with how a counsellor has behaved, you can raise it with them, or contact the professional body they belong to. BACP, UKCP and NCPS all have complaints procedures.
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