Do counsellors have an image problem?

In this one, I’m not asking about whether the idea of starting counselling faces barriers- that’s something I’ll look at it in a future blog. What I’m asking this time is whether there’s a bit of an issue with how counsellors present ourselves?

What does the average person think about if they were asked to picture a counsellor or therapist? They might say Frasier Crane, or Deanna Troi. They might say Billy Crystal in Analyse This (1999). They might even say Hannibal Lector!

TV, film and books (especially the horror genre) gives us quite a wide range. From the more traditional ‘lie back on a couch’ freudian experiences to more modern talk therapy and we can easily put a face to many different very distinct fictional counsellors.

But were we to look at counselling listings that potential clients take a look at to find us, we can be a pretty homogenous bunch. There is a noticeable lack of diversity. We talk about our modalities in a fairly similar way. We talk about welcoming, non-judgemental spaces, and most of us are guilty of a similar style of glassy eyed smiling head & shoulders picture. You might be forgiven for imagining a typical counsellor would be a middle class, middle aged, white woman, and all a bit of muchness.

Now the reality is of course that despite any similarities we all have our own unique kaleidoscope of experiences to draw from, our own unique story of why we became counsellors. A question I would put to my fellow counsellors is are we showing enough of what makes us distinctly who we are, that makes us an approachable human being? At the heart of counselling after all is one human being connecting with another.

In how we’re talking about our expertise are we being clear what counselling offers the average person? That what we’re doing isn't magic and has a strong evidence-base behind it? That it’s not simply reiki or another complementary wellness fad? Bluntly I suppose, are we absolutely sure how we present ourselves isn’t putting people off?

I’m as guilty as anyone else, and I suppose I don’t have an answer, but what I do try to do as much as possible is simply be myself. Be clear about my own background and how that informs my approach to counselling and wanted to help other people. I try to emphasise how accessible and useful counselling can be, and it’s something that anyone who needs help can get benefit from.

There might be hundred counsellors nearby, but there’s only one you. I'd like to challenge my fellow counsellors to put more of themselves out there and embrace being human.

If you’d like to work with me on your mental health, get in touch by completing the online form or emailing me directly at mckellarCBT@gmail.com