Tips to choose the perfect psychology counsellor who suits your needs: Expert explains

Have you ever wondered whether the body is more important than the mind or vice versa? The truth is that one should give equal importance to body and mind to enjoy overall well-being. You may have seen hundreds of people who have survived only because of their strength of mind, even though their bodies have been weak. You will lose yourself if you have an unsound mind in a perfectly healthy body. However, most people tend to ignore their mental health and do not nourish their mind as much as they consider their physical health.

We may take all the precautions to stay healthy and prevent diseases and infections. Moreover, we take care of our bodies and make sure to stay fit. But, we hardly do anything significant to stay stress free to enjoy better mental health. In most cases, we are unable to understand or recognise whether something is wrong with our minds. Anwar Karakkadan, founder and CEO of Oxyprompt Global Psychologist, who is also a psychiatric social worker, child, adolescent and relationship counsellor, explains how to pick a counsellor who suits your needs. He is also qualified in MSW (Medical and Psychiatric), MSc Psychology and BSc Biochemistry.

Hesitation to open up
Unlike in the past, knowledge about mental health and various scientific treatments is easily accessible. But most people are reluctant to open up or seek help when their minds get weaker. They think that others would consider them weak and fragile if they open up about their problems or seek support for their mental health issues. No one has any superhuman qualities that make them immune to stress, anxiety and weakness. Human beings experience a wide range of emotions, including happiness, sadness, anger, disappointment, and fear. It is impossible to separate a particular emotion from a person. You might get weaker when you struggle a lot and may even falter during a crisis. We may cry out loud or even feel guilty or ashamed, thinking about how we behaved in certain situations. 

The escape
It is not a weakness to seek professional help to preserve your mental health. Those who recognise their emotional fluctuations and prepare themselves to behave rationally in certain situations will surely succeed in their mental health journey. But sometimes, it may not be possible to do that yourself. Seeking others’ help will only make us better versions of ourselves. All your problems will disappear when you open up to someone close to you. In some cases, we could share our opinions and decisions with our dear ones who are emotionally mature and trustworthy. But if you do not have someone like that in your life or feel that you need a better source of support, then seeking the help of a mental health professional would be wiser. 

Power of counselling  
Seeking counselling and other scientific mental health treatments like psychotherapies doesn’t mean that you are mentally weak and vulnerable. It just means that you are kinder and more compassionate to yourself. Consulting a doctor when you have an illness is not considered a sign of weakness. Besides, the society would blame the person if he/she doesn’t seek medical help despite being diagnosed with the illness. So, there is no need to feel ashamed to seek help to ensure the health and well-being of the mind, which is often more fragile than the body. 

Motivation classes and counselling
In the olden days, there were lots of members in a joint family who could listen to your problems and offer solutions. However, nuclear families lack this luxury and family members often struggle to open up. This is where a well-trained, professional counsellor can be helpful. You may also see life coaches, wellness gurus and motivational psychologists who lack proper qualifications and training, trying to take advantage of such situations. Seeking their service instead of a mental health professional will only do more harm than good. 

Motivation or not?
Persons attending a mental health motivation class will recognise certain symptoms and request an appointment with the speaker for counselling. This is alright if that speaker is a professional with proper training and qualifications. But things may go wrong if that is not the case. Kerala was shocked when a motivational speaker was booked under POCSO for harassing a teenage girl who was brought to him for counselling. This is not a singular incident but shows the public's lack of awareness of such matters. 

Treat it scientifically
Mental health and counselling are well-researched fields that cannot be covered in an hour-long motivational speech. In a therapeutic setting, the client might feel an emotional connection (transference) to the counsellor, and the counsellor might feel a similar connection (countertransference). This is something that a trained professional counsellor should handle scientifically. Lack of training and professionalism will lead to instances of abuse, especially in child counselling, where the power imbalance is severe. 

Approved professionals
It is important to approach professionally trained mental health experts to handle issues related to mental health problems. The following are the approved mental health professionals:
1) Clinical Psychologists – 
• Those who have Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) registration
• Completed clinical training
• M.Phil in Clinical Psychology (Two year full – time program)

2) Counselling Psychologists
• Regular PG + Structured Internship + Supervised Practise
3) Psychiatrists
• MBBS + MD Psychiatry (Medicines can be prescribed only by them)

4) Psychiatric Social Workers
• Those who work as part of a mental health team
• MSW/M.Phil qualified
• M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work (Two year full – time program)

Shortcomings of distance education
It must be noted that taking a PG in distance mode may improve your knowledge of the subject. However, a degree without proper clinical exposure, supervised case work and ethical accountability is meaningless. This is not just ethically wrong, but may also cause legal trouble in certain cases. Lately, social media has been buzzing with posts and news articles about institutions that conduct unethical counselling. Practitioners of homoeopathy, ayurveda and acupuncture have been handling counselling sessions after acquiring a short diploma or distance course in psychology.

A course done in distance mode in psychology or social work can surely enhance our knowledge in these fields. However, it is not safe to practise as a counsellor solely on the basis of this qualification. Counselling is not something that everyone can do; it demands proper qualification, training, aptitude, practice, and ethics. 

An incident
28-year-old Anitha (names changed) is a software engineer who suffers from severe anxiety related to her job. She approached a viral self-proclaimed motivational psychologist with no basic qualifications in psychology. 

Wrong approach
Instead of patiently listening to Anitha’s problems, he was keen to proclaim a judgment in the first session itself. “You are a very negative person. Your problems will disappear if you change yourself,” he said. He presented Anitha’s stress and anxiety as her weaknesses. 

The result
As per his advice, Anitha soon quit her job, which pushed her into financial strain and even adversely affected her family relations. When things became severe, he started blaming Anitha, shattering her confidence. Anitha then started hating even the idea of counselling. 

The right way
Months later, Anitha saw a psychologist, professionally qualified and experienced, upon her friend’s insistence. She patiently listened to Anitha’s problems and acknowledged her emotions. She even examined the external and internal causes of Anitha’s anxiety and stress. The counsellor understood that there weren’t any unusual reasons for stress in her family or at work. But, she recognised certain internal factors as the root causes of her anxiety. She prescribed a few tests and referred Anitha to an endocrinologist. Anitha started treatment alongside the counselling sessions. She was taught scientific techniques such as CBT, enabling her to make decisions on her own and relieve her stress. Now, Anitha has landed a new job and enjoys a peaceful and calm personal and professional life. 

How to choose the right counsellor
Choosing the right counsellor is key to the success of the treatment or therapy. 
1) Qualifications and credentials
• The counsellor should have a post-graduation in psychology or social work in regular mode and special training in counselling. 
• He/she should have RCI registration and other professional organisations. 

Points to note
• Avoid those who only have degrees/diploma
• Do not consult counsellors with just a six – month certificate course
• Always choose professionals with valid clinical training

2) Experience
Ensure that the counsellor has experience in handling issues that you have. There may be counsellors who are well-experienced in various fields. 

3) Professionalism and ethics
Ensure your counsellor strictly follows the guidelines and upholds professionalism and ethics. Moreover, the counsellor is bound to protect the client’s privacy and confidentiality. 
4) Rapport and comfort
Note whether you are comfortable with the counsellor and can open up to him/her in the first session itself. The counsellor should be someone who will not judge you. You should trust your gut feeling in matters like this. 

5) Recommendations and reviews
Ask trusted friends, family members, or healthcare experts for recommendations. 
6) Availability
Consider factors such as location, timing, fees, and availability. 

What is professional counselling?
Counselling is not giving advice; instead, it is an empowering tool. A trained professional helps you understand yourself. 

Aims
Self-discovery: You will be able to understand and recognise your own problems. 
New insights: It teaches you to view your problems from different perspectives. 
Finding solutions: Makes you understand the advantages and disadvantages of the available solutions. 
Decision making: Helps to make appropriate decisions
Empowering: Gives you confidence to turn the decisions into reality
A counsellor is a trained, licensed professional who helps individuals; those who seek help are the clients. 

Who needs counselling?
Counselling is not only for people facing a crisis in life, but also helpful for those who wish to achieve individual growth. 
• Those who suffer from mental health issues like anxiety, depression and stress
• Couples who wish to improve their relationship
• Families who face struggles
• Those who wish a change in career
• Teenagers who have been tangled in love relations, drugs and relations with friends
• Those who are facing breakups or divorce
• Those who seek introspection and crave individual growth

How does counselling work?
Counselling is not a one-stop solution to your problems. A counsellor might adopt different and unique methods for different individuals. 
Talk therapy – Opening up and explaining your problems to the counsellor. He/she will help you find solutions for those problems. 
Cognitive – Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – It is a psychotherapy that helps people identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour and improve their coping mechanisms. 
Family therapy – Solving the problems that adversely affect the bonding among family members and repairing broken relations. 
Couple counselling – it helps resolve issues between couples. Pre–wedding counselling and counselling for couples who are living together are also included in this category. 
Adolescent counselling – Counselling helps adolescents explore their emotions, understand their own personality and dignity and set academic goals. 

Myths about counselling
It is a common myth that seeking counselling is a sign of weakness. However, it is a sign of someone who desires improvement and positive changes in life. Most people think that you would be able to find a solution to your problem in just one session. But it is a continuous process and may require 8–15 sessions, depending on the intensity of the problem. 

Some people are reluctant to meet a counsellor because they fear the counsellor will read their mind. This is not true. A counsellor encourages you to open up so that he/she can understand your problems. People are often worried about letting their secrets out to others. But, a professional counsellor would always uphold his/her ethics and preserve the client’s confidentiality and privacy. 

When should you see a counsellor?
Mere counselling is not enough for those who have suicidal tendencies and a violent nature. They need medical treatment using drugs and hence should consult a psychiatrist. Mentally unstable persons who do not have the ability to realise that they are ill too need a psychiatrist. According to the Mental Health Care Act, 2017, psychiatrists, psychiatric social workers and clinical psychologists are defined as mental health professionals. 

Warning
• Make sure to approach professionals who have been qualified by studying regular courses in offline mode. 
• Degrees and diplomas acquired online do not offer clinical training
• Make sure to choose only those who have RCI registration

Social awareness
Motivational classes generally offer motivation and provide knowledge about specific topics. However, a professionally trained counsellor’s service is required for complex mental health issues. 
Points to note while choosing counsellors:
• Educational qualification (graduation/post-graduation in psychology, counselling)
• Certifications and affiliations
• Note whether the institutes where the counsellor had studied offered regular courses
• Professional experience
• Registration (Psychology Council, Medical/Social Work Council etc). 

Just like you consult a medical practitioner for physical illness, it is normal to seek the service of a counsellor for mental health issues.  Sharing your problems, sadness, fear and anxiety in a safe space is key to attaining mental health. Counselling and therapies give us the strength and confidence to face life better. However, make sure to open up only to trained professionals who accept you for who you are, don’t blame you, never hold you accountable, don’t offer advice, and help you make rational decisions and find appropriate solutions. You shouldn’t be reluctant to meet such professionals; instead, you should be proud that you have made the right choice for your growth and well-being. Mental health is as important as physical health. So, one should handle mental health issues with the same care and consideration. 

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is a counsellor?
A trained professional who can help people analyse and navigate emotional, psychological, or personal challenges is called a counsellor. They will be equipped to help their patient find healthier ways to cope and grow while handling their issues.

2. Who is a therapist?
A mental health therapist, or a psychotherapist, is a trained professional who can help people manage their mental, behavioural and emotional problems through sessions and therapies. Wherever legally allowed, they also prescribe medicines. 

3. Is there any difference between a counsellor and a therapist?
Both of them help people with mental health issues. The difference lies in the duration given to the patient and their focus. While a counsellor's sessions are short-term and focus on specific, current issues, therapists address deep issues, according to Psychology Today. 

4. Is relief and treatment the same?
It is quite natural that you feel relieved when you open up to someone. But, relief and treatment are not the same. You may feel relieved talking to a motivational speaker or a life coach. The act of ventilation gives you a sense of relief, even if the listener does not offer you solutions. But it is better not to seek counselling services from someone who cannot help you understand the root cause, offer you a valid solution, or provide references to other professionals who might help you.