Is counselling a rip off?

I can't say if they are a rip off. I think it they can help for most life issues for most people where they need someone to talk to. I think they can help where you know what the problem is.

I don't think it helps for more significant psychological or psychiatric issues.wa

In Jan I had access to free counselling through work, before I was diagnosed and quite confused. After one session I realised I needed a psychologist. After two sessions with the psychologist they thought I was autistic. I am not sure the counsellor would have seen that. 

I think autistic experiences are a bit different in terms of emotions, feelings, thought processes, so you would need someone familiar with this to be useful.

But with all stuff it seems to them steering you towards reaching your own conclusion, rather than them telling you. I guess it is more effective that way and more likely to stick.

Counsellors aren't there to tell you things, make diagnosis or offer advice, other than the 'maybe you should speek to your GP about that'. They can give information, such as, 'How to contact citizens advice'.

It is a bit confusing, so many different people offering similar services. A counsellor might of recognised ND but not have been able to do anything other than steer you towards investigating it yourself, a lot of counselling does involve helping you realise things about yourself, you're right it is more likely to stick. It's also about helping you gain some faith and trust in yourself and your own feelings. 

Counsellors will provide a safe space for you unpack issues that have been bothering you, sometimes for years, they will help you find out why you're just unhappy.

People think in terms of hierarchies of knowlege, with someone with some kind of medical degree being top of the pile, but in reality it's not like that and far more about the sort of issues you have, the type of counselling that is being practiced and how well you get on with the counsellor. There will be some who you just don't click with, it's OK, it dosen't mean that counselling won't work for you, it just means that that person isn't a good fit for you, no matter how many qualiifcations they have.

I've had a lot of counselling over the years and I've been a counsellor, I've never felt ripped off, although I've had tyes of counselling I don't get on with. Don't forget you are the client and as such you can say enough, I'd always recomend using the first vist to interview them and find out what they can offer you and how they feel they can help you, or not. Most will be happy to be asked such questions, some won't, but as long as you're fairly upfront about why you're there and make it a conversation rather than an interogation it should be ok. But do remember counsellors are human beings, who don't have a magic wand they can wave to make everything better, nor are they mind readers who are going to instantly know why you're there.

Counsellors aren't there to tell you things, make diagnosis or offer advice, other than the 'maybe you should speek to your GP about that'. They can give information, such as, 'How to contact citizens advice'.

It is a bit confusing, so many different people offering similar services. A counsellor might of recognised ND but not have been able to do anything other than steer you towards investigating it yourself, a lot of counselling does involve helping you realise things about yourself, you're right it is more likely to stick. It's also about helping you gain some faith and trust in yourself and your own feelings. 

Counsellors will provide a safe space for you unpack issues that have been bothering you, sometimes for years, they will help you find out why you're just unhappy.

People think in terms of hierarchies of knowlege, with someone with some kind of medical degree being top of the pile, but in reality it's not like that and far more about the sort of issues you have, the type of counselling that is being practiced and how well you get on with the counsellor. There will be some who you just don't click with, it's OK, it dosen't mean that counselling won't work for you, it just means that that person isn't a good fit for you, no matter how many qualiifcations they have.

I've had a lot of counselling over the years and I've been a counsellor, I've never felt ripped off, although I've had tyes of counselling I don't get on with. Don't forget you are the client and as such you can say enough, I'd always recomend using the first vist to interview them and find out what they can offer you and how they feel they can help you, or not. Most will be happy to be asked such questions, some won't, but as long as you're fairly upfront about why you're there and make it a conversation rather than an interogation it should be ok. But do remember counsellors are human beings, who don't have a magic wand they can wave to make everything better, nor are they mind readers who are going to instantly know why you're there.