Patronus Counselling

The word Patronus is a Latin word with origins in ancient Roman society. A Patronus was a person who acted as a sponsor, protector, and benefactor. More recently this term has been popularized by J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. In this series, a Patronus is used to protect the individual from a creature that causes the person to relive their worst memory resulting in the feelings of intense emotional distress and despair. The Patronus is created out of the person's happiest memory pulling on the creator's strengths to protect them. I chose this name because I believe it is the perfect metaphor for counselling. It is my job as the counsellor to help the client find the strengths and resources within themselves to overcome their emotional distress whether that is depression, anxiety, trauma, or any other mental health concerns.