What Is Counselling Really Like? 4 Common Misconceptions Explained

There can be many assumptions out there about counselling, that lead to confusion or hesitation in wanting to seek support. Some people may not reach out for many years, because they believe something about therapy that isn't necessarily true. This blog is here with the aim of clearing up some of the common misconceptions about counselling that I hear out there as a therapist. In the hope that it supports in offering clarity and reassurance, in case any of these areas may be worrying or stopping you from seeking a space to support in your life.

According to the BACP's 2026 Annual Survey, more than a third of people (37%) say they have seen a therapist, which is up from 35% last year. And yet, I find that misconceptions about what counselling and therapy actually involves, can still stop many people from taking that first step.

Misconception 1: I will be told what to do or counselling will give me solutions

Reality: Counselling isn't about giving advice or telling you what to do

Counselling is offering reflection and gentle exploration in a space where you can talk about things without judgement. For your counsellor to meet you where you are and really try to understand your world and experiences. It can also depend on the type of modality that your counsellor works within, that can differ slightly in what specifically your counsellor can offer. However, more generally, counselling is much less about being 'fixed' and much more about being understood. This understanding in turn, can offer possibility for you to see parts of yourself more clearly, perhaps explore things that might be holding you back or getting in the way for you.

An analogy I often use is that sometimes it can feel like we’re carrying a messy ball of jumbled cables in our minds. A unique tangle of thoughts, emotions, memories, worries and 'what ifs'. It can feel overwhelming when it’s all knotted together inside you. Counselling is about taking that ball of cables and placing it gently in the room between us, as and when you feel comfortable. We explore it together, at your pace.

Sometimes simply having it outside of your head in a place without judgement, visible, spoken and shared, can begin to loosen it slightly. Not because we’re forcing it to unravel, but because it’s no longer yours to carry alone in that space. You might choose to gently pull one wire out and look at it more closely. You might decide to put one back. You might set one to the side for later. Or choose to not look at one you know is there. It’s entirely up to you. Over time, parts of the tangle may begin to make more sense. You might notice connections between wires you hadn’t seen before. You might even discover a colour or cable in there you didn’t realise belonged to you. Counselling isn’t about rushing to untangle everything. It’s about understanding what each wire represents for you. And with patience, noticing how they connect. In turn, that can connect you closer to yourself and offer more clarity to understand what ways are going to work for you with what you're experiencing.

Misconception 2: You have to be in crisis to seek counselling

Reality: You don't have to be at breaking point or at the point of crisis to seek counselling

Counselling can also support:

• When you're feeling stuck and you don't know why

• Navigating change

• Career challenges

• That dreaded feeling on a Sunday evening, when a new work week is about to start

• Relationship patterns

• Self-worth struggles or the sense that no matter how hard you try, you don't feel enough

Misconception 3: It's just talking

Reality: Counselling is talking, but it's a fundamentally different kind of conversation to any you'll have elsewhere. It's one where the focus remains entirely and consistently on you, without conditions or give and take.

Counselling is about talking but it isn't just talking. It can be much more intentional and considered than a conversation with a friend or loved one for example. In counselling, the space is far more neutral. It’s entirely yours. Your counsellor is trained to offer an accepting environment, that can hold what you’re experiencing without judgement, without interruption, and without needing anything back from you. There isn't push and pull which can often sit within friendships or family relationships. No obligation to ask how the other person is. No need to soften what you’re saying to protect someone else’s feelings.

In conversations with friends or loved ones, there is often a natural give and take. They may share their own experiences in response, or - because they care deeply - they might feel an urge to fix, reassure, or move quickly towards solutions. Sometimes, that can mean the deeper layers of what you’re feeling aren’t fully explored. Counselling can create a space to stay with your experience a little longer. To be listened to carefully. To be understood before anything is changed. It’s a different kind of conversation. It's one where the focus remains gently and consistently on you without conditions around who you need to be or should be.

Misconception 4: If I start, I'll need to go forever

Reality: You go to counselling for however long feels right for you. There's no fixed number of sessions you need to commit to and no contract you're locked into.

When it comes to counselling, I believe you are in the driving seat and that you're in control of how long you choose to attend. There is no fixed number of sessions you must commit to, and no defined timeline you have to follow. If we begin working together and you decide after one session that it isn’t right for you, that is completely okay. Counselling can come to a close there.

Some people come for a handful of sessions around a specific issue. Others choose to work longer-term. Often, it isn’t something you know straight away, and that’s okay too.

It can be helpful to check in regularly with your counsellor about what feels useful and what doesn’t. Those conversations can help you understand what you need, how the work is supporting you, and whether you’d like to continue. Counselling isn’t a contract you’re locked into. It’s a space you can enter (and leave) with choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I talk about in my first counselling session?

There's nothing you need to have figured out beforehand. You might share what's been going on recently, what brought you to counselling, or simply how you're feeling right now. Your counsellor will gently hold the conversation with you.

Will my counsellor give me advice?

In person-centred counselling, the focus is on listening and exploring rather than advising. Your counsellor won't tell you what to do, but can help you gain clarity, so you can make choices that feel right for you.

How long does a counselling session last?

Most counselling sessions are 50 minutes. At Seymour Counselling, 50 minute sessions are available in-person in Marlow and online across the UK, Monday to Thursday.

Is everything I say in counselling confidential?

Yes, with a small number of exceptions that your counsellor will explain before starting counselling.

How many counselling sessions will I need?

This varies from person to person. Some find a handful of sessions helpful, others choose longer-term work. There's no right answer, it's led entirely by you.

If you've been wondering whether counselling might support you, you can find out more about what counselling with me looks like here. I'm Rhian, a BACP-registered counsellor offering in-person sessions in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, and online across the UK.

Sources

• BACP (2026). Public perceptions survey 2026. Available at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/about-bacp/bacp-public-perceptions-survey/