Managing Stress for Success

Motivational Speaker Carole Spiers explains
the 'what-why-when' of the increasingly popular Counselling option

Just one glance at the different number of branches of counselling will confirm the importance of this sensitive and constructive form of inter-personal, support-intervention. There are specialist, professional counsellors in every sphere from career-planning to marriage, sexual problems and relationships, suicide, grief and trauma, workplace discipline, retirement, rehabilitation and cross-cultural living.

There is co-counselling or mutual evaluation between peers. There is counselling by telephone, either for convenience or for those who may be inhibited about a one-to-one meeting. Counselling is now a central part of the HR agenda throughout industry and in the caring professions.

The counsellor as facilitator – not as advisor

Counsellors aim to move people towards self-help, through a practised routine of confidential listening, prompting and guidance.

‘Active listening’ is a remarkably effective way to encourage the individual to talk through their own problems, and perhaps to see them clearly for the first time. It involves a subtle steering of the dialogue through minimal use of speech or gestures.

This will invariably result in a stream of revelations whereby a new perspective is gained that will enable a discussion of goals and possibilities in a frank and open way, whilst demonstrating a clear demarcation between what cannot be changed and what can. In this way, the individual receives helpful guidance without any judgmental element.

Why counselling? - summary

• Sensitive form of intervention used throughout industry and healthcare
• A range of counselling applications in both work and family environments
• Active Listening has been proved to bring out revealing information

Another key insight from Carole Spiers, International Leading Authority on Corporate Stress,
Motivational Speaker and BBC Broadcaster.