What do other people talk about in counselling?

This is one of the questions I’m asked most often by clients. I think this is because people want reassurance that what they are talking about, or thinking about talking about, in counselling is OK.  To answer the question: people talk about all sorts of things they are finding difficult. Someone might focus on a specific issue, such as a difficult experience, a decision they need to make, or a dilemma they are currently facing. Or they might want to discuss a more general difficulty they’ve noticed, such as friendships feeling tense or romantic relationships that keep ending in the same way. Sometimes, people start with feelings, perhaps noticing that they’ve been feeling depressed or anxious, and then move towards exploring what might be going on underneath. As a counsellor, I can hear whatever you want to say, but I also understand that it might take some time before you get to what you really want to talk about. It’s absolutely fine to start with a topic you feel comfortable with and then move on to more sensitive, personal, or complex issues as you begin to trust me.