What Happens in the Room Stays in the Room

Myths, and Your Fears

People are afraid of the unknown. Some can’t wait to dive in, they just want to get there.

• Can I really trust them with my presence, with my story, with my information?

• How can I know I can trust them? What assurances do I have?

• Is what I say going to leave the room? Will they discuss ‘me’ with a colleague?

• Will I be judged because I have tears, because I feel angry?

• What if they know someone I talk about?

Not something to say duh at. This is the real thing, real person, real emotions, real concerns. Fear of exposure is often bigger than the reality. Let’s unpack that and try and put one’s mind at ease.

Reassurance, and our Processes

At Whanganui Counselling Services, we have policies and procedures in place. They work for you, not against you. It’s part of the entire process of having it all in place before you even call us. Confidentiality is your anchor in counselling. That is your assurance that what you say in the room stays in the room. We have the following:

• Confidentiality – what you share stays in the room.

• Client’s Rights – clear protections for you and your wellbeing.

• Informed Consent – understanding the process before we begin.

These foundations are here to reassure you – your voice is safe, your rights are protected, and you always know what to expect.

The Counselling Space is Your Bubble

Or whatever you want it to be. It is your space – that gives you ownership of the environment you are in for a time, a shared space with your counsellor. It becomes a team effort – each contribute to the process. A space that the counsellor holds for you.

• Your voice, your space, your pace.

• A shared space – you, the counsellor, and the process.

• We hold it together and it stays firm.

It’s not a scary place. We just feel scared on the inside sometimes. But that’s why you came.

The Impact for You

The reason you came to counselling in the first instance – is to deal with your stuff, talk about it, put it on the table – and make sense of it all. The impact to you is what you want it to be. It is the goals, desires, and intentions you came to counselling for. Let’s open it up a little and put some eyes and ears to it.

• Safety builds trust – you don’t have to hold it in anymore. You can breathe.

• Once trust is felt, you are able to start healing – the real stuff comes out, the layers unfold.

• Knowing your truth stays in the room, gives you the freedom and space to speak it.

The bigger picture is: all the myths and fears around why people have to wait too long to see a counsellor, around counselling itself – what it is and what it’s not, to finally getting to your first session – you did it!

Your Takeaway Gift

This can be a gift you give to yourself. A gift from the process of counselling itself. It’s your takeaway gift – yours to unwrap, to do with as you please. It’s your anchor and here is what it might look like for you:

“What I say in the room stays in the room. It is my safe space to know, see, and speak my truth.”

“I give myself the gift of feeling vulnerable and knowing its okay. It will be respected.”

“I inhale safety and supportive surroundings – I exhale fear, judgment, and distrust.”

Bottom line is: You’re ok. You got it. You did it.

What actually happens in the room once you've taken that giant (or not so giant) step to come to your first appointment? There were fears, anxieties, and uncertainties around just getting there – and now you're here, what next. What actually happens in the room?

Makes it sound like a secret place you're going to, “Woo-oo, woo-oo,” as my granddaughter would go when she thought I was making something bigger than it actually was! Like, “What's the big deal nan, duh!” Now, that’s not what we’re saying here – because your concerns are real.