Counselling and Supportive Therapy

What it is

Counselling is a talking relationship with a trained counsellor who provides a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to explore whatever a person is facing. While the more specialised therapies (such as CBT or EMDR) follow particular structured methods for particular conditions, counselling and supportive therapy centre on the relationship itself: being genuinely listened to, understood and accepted, and supported to make sense of one's own feelings and find one's own way forward.

This makes it broad and flexible, suitable for many situations, from coping with a specific life difficulty or loss, to general low mood or stress, to simply needing to talk things through with someone skilled and impartial.

Why it helps, and the evidence

A large body of research shows that the quality of the relationship between a person and their therapist, the warmth, trust and feeling of being understood, is one of the strongest predictors of benefit across all kinds of therapy. Supportive counselling harnesses this directly. It is effective for many common difficulties and is often particularly helpful for situational distress, life transitions and grief. For some severe or specific conditions, a more specialised therapy may be needed, and a counsellor can help recognise this and signpost onward.

What to expect

Sessions offer space to talk openly while the counsellor listens, reflects, and helps you explore your thoughts and feelings, usually without the structured exercises of CBT. The pace and focus follow your needs. Counselling can be short-term, focused on a particular difficulty, or longer-term. It is confidential, within the usual limits around safety.

Is it right for me

Counselling is a good, accessible starting point for many people, especially when facing a specific difficulty, loss or period of stress, or when unsure what kind of help is needed. For certain conditions a more specialised therapy may work better, but a counsellor can help identify this. Counselling is among the more widely available forms of support in Kenya, including through some community, faith and workplace services; our Get Support page can help you find it.

When to seek help

If you are struggling and would value a safe space to talk things through with someone skilled and impartial, counselling is a good place to start. You do not need a diagnosis or a crisis to benefit from talking to someone.