Who's in Control in Therapy?

New clients often ask me what they should talk about in therapy. My answer is always the same: whatever's on your mind.

I recently had the opportunity to run a workshop, together with the amazing Nilima Choudhury, at the Person-Centred Association's annual conference. The two-hour session focused on power.

A lot of our workshop looked at how we, as therapists, hold power within the counselling industry. Coming back into the office afterwards, having a client ask me what they should talk about reminded me of the power we carry in the therapy room, and how we choose to use it.

Coming to counselling for the first time can feel really daunting, and I understand why people get nervous. But it doesn't have to be that way. As a therapist, I don't force you to talk about things that feel uncomfortable. As they say in America, it's your dime, you talk about what you want.

It's an opportunity to slow down and be heard. When was the last time you felt truly heard? And once you're heard, you can start to work out what's next for you.

The ball's in your court. Is there something that's been on your mind you'd like to talk about?



Give me a try. I promise I'm not scary.