A Student of Psychotherapy

I am currently completing a counselling course and wanted to share one of the benefits that has been especially helpful and positive for me during this journey.

Studying counselling involves self-reflection and developing an understanding of my own psychology and my own responses. I can incorporate the skills gained into my everyday life and experiences. It provides me with a deep understanding of my motivation, the motivation of people around me, and a way of dealing with external stress—particularly in challenging situations where I have little or no control over external events.

In order to practice counselling, you need to develop and strengthen your skills in self-awareness through self-reflection. Fortunately, before taking this course, I practiced daily meditation, which is a very useful technique for the development of self-awareness.

However, one of the most valuable insights I’ve gained from this course is understanding that emotions do not necessarily originate from myself. Sometimes, how I feel, may be a reflection of how another person—whose behaviour is affecting me—is feeling. It is an empowering feeling, knowing and understanding that “this is not mine; it belongs to this person, or that person.” This distinction is not only personally liberating, but also a critical skill for being an effective counsellor.

People project all the time—everyone does, including myself. Projection is automatic, and people are often unconscious of the fact that they are doing it. So, as a counsellor, it becomes easier to understand a person's true emotional state, because while they may not realise they are projecting, I, as a counsellor, am aware that the emotion I’m experiencing is not mine.

I would encourage anyone interested in self-understanding to do a counselling or psychotherapy course, simply for the depth of insight it brings into the roots of your own and others’ emotions. It’s a journey worth taking.