what is counselling 
When people are feeling overwhelmed by their problems it is like they are being swept along by a fast flowing river. All their energy is being expended on keeping afloat; clinging on to floating debris, treading water etc. All of these activities will keep them alive but they are at the mercy of the river, its current and course. They are pulled along with little or no say in where they are going.
Counselling aims to help people to swim to the side of the river and climb onto the bank. From here they are able to think about their problems in such a way that they can to reach a greater understanding of their difficulties and their self-destructive patterns. Counselling basically enables you to take a step back from your problems and from this vantage point the complete range of options becomes visible, options that were hard to see when you were struggling to survive in the river. For example you may decide to build a raft, hire a speedboat or buy some Wellington boots and paddle in the shallow waters. Or you may decide to jump back into the river and continue as before, but you will be doing so with an awareness of the others options that are available to you.
Ultimately counselling will enable you to become your own therapist. By teaching you skills (psychological and practical) to solve your current problems it will equip you to tackle future problem with a greater degree of calmness and clarity.
"An oyster creates a pearl out of a grain of sand. The grain of sand is an irritant to the oyster. In response to the discomfort, the oyster creates a smooth protective coating that encases the sand and provides relief. The result is a beautiful pearl.
For an Oyster, an irritant becomes the seed for something new. Similarly (counselling) can help you develop something valuable from your current discomfort. The skills taught... will help you feel better and will continue to have value in your life long after your original problems are gone". Greenberger & Padesky 1995
