Direct counselling

Direct counselling work involves a “face-to-face” relationship between counsellors and their clients. It is the basis of counselling centre work.

Individuals, families, parents or couples can all be involved in direct counselling, depending on their needs, specifics of the problem, and if that kind of counselling can produce the best results. Direct counselling enables a greater number of meetings with the clients and ensures a continuity of counselling.

• The client is the centre of the counselling process
• The user/client chooses and sets topics and goals of the counselling, guided by the counsellor
• Each person is responsible for their own opinions and behaviour
• Everyone has a responsibility for their choice of behaviour; there are no wrong choices, but there are ineffective choices
• During the counselling process, the counsellor and the client work together on an honest and open conversation
• Attendance is (most often) voluntary
• Data confidentiality is always ensured

In the first few meetings (1-3) the needs and goals of the client are identified, after which a decision is made about further work and a work plan is set. Most often, 5 to 20 meeting are planned for goal achievement. If there is need for further work, the counsellor with the client considers the best solution (continuation of treatment, referral to another institution or a specialist dealing with long-term psychotherapy).

If determined useful, it can be proposed to the client that a family member is involved on a one-time or recurring basis, and it is up to them to decide if they want to do so.

The recommended frequency of meetings is once a week, but can also be twice a month.

Usually, an individual meeting has a length of 60 minutes, while couples or family counselling is up to 90 minutes a meeting.