Demystifying what a counsellor does

Harris, M ORCID: 0000-0003-3124-4158 and Younas, F (2026) 'Demystifying what a counsellor does.' In: Harris, M, ed. How to become a counsellor: a practical guide. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, pp. 11-38. ISBN 9783032351401

Abstract

This chapter clarifies what counselling is by challenging common misconceptions and distinguishing it from other forms of help. It explains that counselling is not simply advice-giving, friendship, crisis intervention, or casual conversation, but a structured, ethical, and relational process. Counsellors work through active listening, empathy, reflection, and the development of self-awareness, helping clients explore emotions, patterns in behaviour, and relationship difficulties rather than directing them towards ready-made solutions. The chapter presents counselling as both supportive and reparative, showing how it can address present concerns while also exploring how earlier experiences may continue to influence current distress. It also differentiates counselling from psychotherapy and coaching: counselling is generally shorter term and focused on present issues, psychotherapy tends to involve deeper and longer-term work with more complex distress, while coaching is seen as more directive, goal-oriented, and performance-focused. In addition, the chapter highlights the importance of professional boundaries, contracting, safeguarding, supervision, and self-awareness as central to safe and effective practice. It also notes the variety of settings in which counsellors work, including charities, private practice, education, employee assistance programmes, and the NHS. Overall, counselling is presented as a disciplined, reflective, and humane practice that supports understanding, growth, and change.

Item Type:	Book Chapter or Section
Divisions:	School of Sciences
Related URLs:	https://link.springer.com/book/978303235...
Date Deposited:	02 Nov 2026 12:46
Last Modified:	02 Nov 2026 12:46
URN:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/18035

	Request a change to this item or report an issue
	Update item (repository staff only)