Counselling? Mentoring?
Counselling. Mentoring. Coaching. Life Coaching. Therapy. What do they all mean...?!
I heard someone say recently that Counselling and Therapy are more about looking backwards, while Coaching and Mentoring are more about looking forwards. This is an over-simplification, but it is starting point.
In actual fact, everyone has their own view on what each of these terms mean, in different contexts. Even if you read the exact dictionary definitions of 'counselling', 'mentoring', 'coaching' etc, you will still have your own thoughts on what they are, whether you feel there is a stigma attached to certain ones, and - most importantly - what you think YOU may need (or not need).
The way I see it, when I meet with someone on a private video call for a Purpose session, I am 100% focused on THEM. I listen intently, and for that 50-minute conversation my attention is fully on my client.
➡️ Some people want to rant and vent.
➡️ Some people want to talk about a difficult colleague.
➡️ Some people want to get off their chest just how tired and overworked they feel.
➡️ Some people want practical solutions to help them perform better at work.
➡️ Some people want to feel more comfortable in a leadership role.
➡️ Some people want to laugh.
➡️ Some people want to cry.
…and ALL of these things are fine. Through my extensive counselling training, experience as a Samaritan, knowledge of running a busy recruitment business, and my psychology background, I have a variety of tools that can be used depending on the situation and what someone needs.
Do I know it all? Of course not!!! I am always learning.
Do I have all the answers? No!
But am I a good, attentive listener who can genuinely help you through what you are experiencing right now, so you can feel more in control of your career and home life? Absolutely.
…and I would love to hear from you. I am happy to have a FREE, initial conversation about what you are going through at the moment. We can then decide whether to work together, or I may refer you to someone else in my network if you need something that I cannot provide. Please get in touch for a private, confidential chat with no obligations beyond this.
Steve Twinley is a BACP-registered Psychodynamic Counsellor who worked previously for over 17 years in the pressurised world of recruitment, and managed a leading international life science recruitment agency. Steve Twinley formed Purpose Mentoring in November 2023 and now works full-time as a Therapist, providing online counselling and mentoring to people in stressful jobs. If you are trying your best to manage the pressures of work alongside different personal challenges at home, perhaps it could help you to have a safe, confidential space, away from colleagues, family and friends, where you can talk through different things you are facing, as well as moving forward from difficult times in your past. You can learn more about Purpose Mentoring sessions here and can engage with Steve Twinley either at steve.twinley@purposementoring.com or on his LinkedIn profile here.
