Co-counselling is...
A co-counselling session
People's stories
How to get into co-counselling
FAQ: frequently asked questions
4-day residential event
Theory and practice

I have a 2 year counselling studies background: will I be going over work I am already familiar with?

OR:

I have just got a place on a counselling course in a local college: will the co-counselling course just be going over the same stuff as there?

OR:

I am seeing a (person-centred or psychodynamic) counsellor: should I just stick with that?

Co-counselling and professional or mainstream counselling are very different.  I started my professional training in counselling in the same month that I trained in co-counselling, and have ever since then been aware of how they both offer different things and both have their limitations.

The main things that co-counselling offers that ordinary counselling does not are:

• In co-counselling we use discharge (catharsis) to access bodily our emotions (we may shout, cry, shake, run, stand, sit, lie down, hit a cushion)
• In co-counselling we use psychodrama techniques and/or empty chair work to access unconscious material, and to re-visit the past, or visit the past or future in phantasy
• In co-counselling use amplification, contradiction, and celebration (these are simple techniques that can go very deep)
• Co-counselling is generally body-oriented as well as verbally oriented

Also,

• Ordinary counselling usually includes the counsellor making a deliberate attempt to communicate empathy: in co-counselling the person in the listening role (which we could call 'the ally') concentrates on listening, atttending, and coming up with what we call 'interventions'. These are prompts or suggestions, that you learn on the course.
• Ordinary counselling includes an attempt to address the therapeutic relationship itself, ie the counsellor/client relationship (or 'transference relationship'): co-counselling omits this.

Who is this course (and co-counselling) for?
Who is it NOT for?

Co-counselling can be of use to anyone who is already functioning reasonably well in some areas of their life (i.e social relationships, partner relationships, work and career, home/acommodation), but who wants their life to be more colourful, productive or fulfilling, and who has some areas where things are not going as well as they'd like.

It's for people who want to reflect on the questions: 'who am I - what makes me tick - how come I am the way I am - do I need to do things differently?'. It's for people who want to explore these questions and who don't mind the idea that they may discover areas that are uncomfortable or unpleasant and need addressing.

It is for people who are willing to share personal experiences and listen to other people when it's their turn.

Co-counselling is probably not for someone who is living in chaos in all areas of their life, and not for someone who risks having a psychotic breakdown (getting out of touch with reality) when they contact uncomfortable feelings.

Co-counselling does not replace work with a professional therapist: it should be seen as an additional and complementary way of therapeutic working. It is not suitable for people who are dependent on statutory or voluntary sector services for emotional support or who are prone to psychotic episodes (i.e. emotional breakdown accompanied by lack of awareness of reality).

Diversity: this course, and CCI Co-counselling, is open to anyone irrespective of religion, race, sexuality, politics, disabilities, height, or any other defining personal characteristics you can think of (except age - see the pre-course infoormation).

I wonder if I will get nervous in the group: should I still do the course?

I think it is very common for people to feel nervous or uncomfortable when in they are in a group that is dealing with personal issues (as compared to, say, a more technical or practical group like a committee meeting). It's to be expected and in a way is a good and normal thing, because it means that your emotions/feelings are becoming available to you and can be worked on by you during the course. One thing I want to stress is that whilst on the course you will never be pushed by me to do anything or work on anything you don't want to do: one of the main principles of co-counselling is that the client is in charge of the content, pace and depth of their work.

Is co-counselling just a version of "you tell me your problems and I'll tell you mine".

It might look like that at first glance, because some of the same things happen in a co-counselling session as in an ordinary conversation, i.e. two people sit down and talk about themselves, and share the time. The difference is that both people are trained in a specific method of working on issues, a method that includes not only words but also voice, sound, body and action. One person will be listening in a way that is taught on the course: the listener is also trained in making responses might be helpful in order to invite the 'talker' to go further in his or her work.

Is there only one type of co-counselling?

I don't think so. Co-counselling essentially uses techniques that come from from humanistic and psychodynamic therapies. Co-counselling is an explorative approach helping you to get to know yourself and link up your feelings, thoughts and actions in order to have more control over your life and live fully. In different parts of the world there may be slight differences, but the principles and approaches are pretty universal.

What benefit would it be to my CV if I could put that I learned to do co-counselling?

If asked about it, you would get some interesting conversation opportunities with your interviewer about your personal growth.

What does co-counselling qualify me to do?

If you engage with it, you will find yourself able to listen to yourself more. That may help you deal with others.

Are there enhanced career opportunities that co-counselling might it lead to?

Directly, none. Indirectly, it's up to you, because co-counselling invites you to put yourself in the driving seat of your life.

No guarantees with co-counselling: it's about exploring yourself in a way that's very much outside the usual ways.

If I am in a co-counselling session working on some difficult feelings, will I get overwhelmed, especially as my co-counsellor will probably not be a professional therapist?

This is addressed on the course.