Counselling: would you prefer someone with experience of being a parent/carer of a disabled child? — Scope | Disability forum
Please read our updated community house rules and community guidelines.

Counselling: would you prefer someone with experience of being a parent/carer of a disabled child?

EmmaB
EmmaB Community member Posts: 263 Pioneering
Have you tried counselling?  Are you thinking about it?

Hello - my name is Emma West, I am an experienced counsellor who is just launching myself as an Online Counsellor.  

I have a disability myself and my son has the same disability as me - what I'm interested to know is whether I should be marketing this aspect of myself?

So my question for you is:  would you prefer to have a counsellor who has experience of parenting/caring for a disabled child?  Obviously the impact of disability is very individual but would it help if you felt the person 'got' what you were talking about on the disability/parenting/caring front even on a more general level?

I'd be really interested to know your views about this and even your experiences of counselling if you wanted to share what worked/what didn't work for you?

[edited by moderator]

Comments

  • Roddy
    Roddy Community member Posts: 445 Pioneering
    edited February 2019
    Hi EmmaB, 

    I wish you every success with your endeavours. 

    Of course it is paramount that all counsellors have an understanding of a disabled persons needs, however I personally believe that a person should not have to be disabled to provide this service. 

    We all of us want to live in a world of acceptability and non-discrimination and so the ability/mobility of a counsellor shouldn't be the issue. If I may use an example, should a person of race or of a certain religion be better served by 'one of their own?'  

    There is rightfully a place within the counselling profession or all disabled people such as yourself, however I don't believe it should be the criterion, but of course ANY professional and well-meant counselling should always be encouraged in my own personal view. 

    It is certainly an advantage of sorts to be personally able to relate to disability, and yes I think that it should be play a huge part in your marketing strategy. Experience, is what everybody wants and without blinkered attitudes or simply sympathy from a person that has no understanding...
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @EmmaB
    Advertising is not allowed on the online community so I have removed your website address.

    You might be interested in looking into the Scope Navigate service, providing support to parents who have a child going through diagnosis, or have a child who has received a diagnosis within the last 12 months.  You can find out more information about the Navigate service here: http://www.scope.org.uk/navigate
    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • Dotty123
    Dotty123 Community member Posts: 492 Pioneering
    I don’t mind as long as they are helpful and can help good luck 
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    In answer to your question though, it would depend on why I was seeking counselling. If it was anything to do with disability or my impairment then I would find it reassuring that my counsellor had some understanding, if it was for more general reasons then it wouldnt matter to me one way or another.
    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • Audrey_x
    Audrey_x Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    Hi, I love the sound of your plan! My son is now 30 yrs. I have sacrificed, suffered and fought, and continue to do so. I am ill myself now so it is so much harder to keep up the fight. I have been considering counselling (again) recently and if I had the chance to work with a counselor who specialised in this field, I would jump at the chance. I actually have just joined this group today in the hope that I can offer some guidance to other parents like myself because in my experience there is nothing like it out there. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance. Audrey
  • EmmaB
    EmmaB Community member Posts: 263 Pioneering
    Hi @Audrey_x
    Thank you for responding to my post, and it's great to hear you like the idea of a counsellor who might have some empathy of your situation. 
    Of course each situation is unique but as I get older I increasingly feel that people who don't have experience of parenting a disabled child never truly get it... the worry, the stress and the fighting for everything - for example, in my own case I've been trying to sort out my son getting some shoes that fit him and he can walk in - for over 18 months!  If you didn't have a disabled child you wouldn't think such a situation is even possible!? 
    As you say it can grind you down and affect your own health which is not great. 
    I hope you find some great support from this message board it certainly seems like a really friendly, supportive and helpful one.
    Best wishes.
    Emma

Brightness