Turning Intentions Into Results Through Counselling
We’ve all been there. We have a new idea, desire or goal and we’re brimming with motivation. We jot down a list of goals: make new friends, improve our health, find a better work-life balance. Yet, so often, these well-intentioned plans fizzle out. Why?
The problem isn't a lack of desire, but often a lack of strategy and self-awareness. This is where a powerful, and perhaps unexpected, tool comes into play: counselling. Far from being solely for crisis or mental illness, counselling is a dynamic process for personal growth, and one of its most potent applications is in effective goal setting.
Counselling for Goals: More Than Just Advice
When you think of setting goals, you might think of a coach. A coach is fantastic for providing structure, accountability, and strategies to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. But what happens when the biggest obstacle isn't a lack of know-how, but an internal one?
This is the unique value of using counselling for goal achievement. A counsellor helps you:
Uncover Your True Values: It's easy to adopt goals we think we should have. A counsellor creates a safe space to explore what truly matters to you. Is that promotion a genuine desire for growth, or a pursuit of external validation? Is "losing weight" really about health, or about self-acceptance? Goals rooted in your core values are infinitely more sustainable.
Identify and Navigate Internal Barriers: Self-doubt, fear of failure, perfectionism, or past traumas can silently sabotage our best efforts. A counsellor is trained to help you identify and develop skills to manage these internal blocks, which a traditional coach may not be equipped to handle.
Build Psychological Flexibility: Life is unpredictable. A rigid goal can shatter at the first setback. Counselling helps you build resilience and the ability to adapt your path while staying connected to your core intentions.
In essence, counselling can be used for coaching-type purposes, but with a deeper, psychological foundation. It’s coaching that doesn’t just look at the "what," but also the "why" and the "what's in the way." It’s for anyone who feels that their own thoughts, feelings, and history are the primary hurdles to their success.
Why Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a Perfect Fit
While many counselling modalities can help with goals, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT – said as the word "act") is exceptionally well-suited. ACT is not about eliminating difficult feelings; it's about changing our relationship with them so they no longer hold us back.
ACT uses a framework often visualized as a compass. Here’s how it guides goal setting:
Be Present & Accept: Instead of fighting feelings of anxiety or inadequacy, ACT teaches you to acknowledge them without being controlled by them. This means you can feel nervous about asking for a raise and do it anyway.
Clarify Your Values: This is the true north of your compass. An ACT therapist will help you articulate what you stand for—be it creativity, connection, health, or contribution. Your values are your guiding star.
Take Committed Action: This is where goal setting comes in. With your values clear, you set specific, meaningful, and often smaller, goals that are directions, not destinations. Instead of "be happy" (a feeling), a value-based goal is "engage in activities that are meaningful to me," which could lead to the committed action of "volunteer twice a month."
In the ACT model, your goals are the tangible steps you take while walking your valued path. When you inevitably hit a bump (a setback, a difficult emotion), you don't abandon the journey. You use your ACT skills to accept the bump, check your compass (values), and continue walking. This makes the process of goal achievement resilient and psychologically sustainable.
The Virtual Advantage: Why Video Counselling Excels for Goal-Oriented Work
The modern pursuit of growth aligns perfectly with virtual therapy (video counselling). When your focus is on creating momentum, the medium of delivery matters. Here’s why virtual therapy is particularly powerful for goal setting:
Seamless Integration into Your Life: Your goal-setting work happens in the same environment where you live it. You can have a session during your lunch break and immediately apply an insight to your workday, or discuss a personal goal from the comfort of your own living room. This erases the disconnect between the therapist's office and "the real world."
Consistency and Convenience: The biggest killer of progress is inconsistency. Removing the commute, traffic, and scheduling hurdles makes it dramatically easier to stick with your sessions. When it's easier to show up, you build momentum faster.
A Window into Your World (Safely): With permission, you can share your screen to show a resume you're working on, a project plan, or even a vision board you've created digitally. This allows the therapist to engage with your goals in a very concrete, immediate way.
Comfort and Openness: Many people find it easier to open up about vulnerabilities, fears, and ambitious dreams from their own safe space. This enhanced comfort can lead to deeper, more productive sessions focused on breaking through barriers.
Practicing In Real-Time: A virtual therapist can guide you through a mindfulness exercise to manage pre-presentation jitters right before a big meeting, or help you craft a response to a difficult email in the moment you need it.
Ready to Build a Life You Value?
Goal setting is more than a to-do list; it's the architecture of a meaningful life. By combining the emotional, internal work of counselling with the practical, action-oriented framework of ACT, all within the accessible format of virtual therapy, you have a modern, highly effective recipe for not just achieving goals, but for building a life rich with purpose and direction.
If you're ready to move beyond surface-level goals and start building a life aligned with your deepest values, reach out today - book a free consultation.
