Therapy unveiled: What to Expect From Counselling

In this episode of The Counselling Armchair, Liz and Plia take the mystery out of therapy with a practical, down-to-earth conversation about what it’s really like. They explore what happens in a first session, why you don’t need to have everything figured out (or a diagnosis) before reaching out, and how therapy is often more like a guided, supportive conversation than people expect. They also challenge common myths about therapy, highlighting that it isn’t about being “broken,” but about having a space to understand yourself, cope with challenges, and feel less alone. The episode also explains what actually helps in therapy—from feeling heard and making sense of patterns, to building practical coping skills—and why progress is usually gradual and subtle. Liz and Plia unpack different therapy approaches in simple terms, explain how mindfulness and other techniques are used, and emphasise that there’s no one-size-fits-all model. Finding the right fit with a therapist matters, and it’s completely okay if it takes time to find what works for you. If you’re considering support, you can access counselling through RMIT or speak to your GP about options available to you. Useful links: RMIT Counselling Service: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/health-safety-wellbeing/counselling Australian Psychological Society: https://psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist Mental Health Treatment Plan: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-treatment-plan Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au or 13 11 14