This is a common question when it comes to counselling (ask Google!), so maybe it has crossed your mind, too. ⠀
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What can I talk about in therapy?
The counselling space is a nonjudgmental place where you are free to talk about literally anything. The idea in therapy is that you can talk about and explore uncharted aspects of your experience, discuss topics you haven’t (or have) had before, and test-drive ideas, such as making personal changes and developing your relationship with yourself or your loved ones. ⠀
No topics are off-limits for the vast majority of therapists. If you are gravitating away from your initial goal session after session, your counsellor will gently guide you back on track or ask if the counselling goal needs to be adjusted. ⠀
Limits of Confidentiality⠀
Sometimes the things you talk about in counselling might require that other people are involved. This is the case if there is imminent harm to yourself (i.e., suicide), others (i.e., homicide), or if a child is at risk of harm. For adults, if you have granted permission to any third parties to be informed of your well-being, they will receive updates as necessary. Minors will often have a different confidentiality arrangement. Parent(s) or guardian(s) might be more or less involved depending on what comes up in session.
What should I talk about with my counsellor?
You might seek out a counsellor for a specific reason or because they specialize in a certain topic. Some things you can talk about with your counsellor might include:
anxiety, worry and nervousness
depression and low mood
mood fluctuations
stress
relationship issues
couples counselling
goal setting and motivation
self-esteem and confidence
grief and loss
You might want to talk about specific past experiences in your life, or process current life changes. Everything is welcome in therapy.
To learn about how counselling can help, click here.
