CONTROVERSY has raged for years over whether it's good to talk or best to keep your pain under wraps.

But The Northern Echo's on-line expert has jumped to the defence of counselling after an American professor who specialises in the study of loss, grief and emotional issues published a study which said that talking about your pain and unhappiness may not be the best thing after all.

Dr George Bonanno, based at Columbia University, New York, studied the effects of counselling after the terrorist attacks of September 11 and came to the conclusion that for some people it's best not to talk. In some instances, Dr Bonanno claimed, counselling actually does more harm than good.

But Darlington-based counsellor Debbie Hull says she's concerned about the study. "Counselling within this country is on the increase, and GP practices, voluntary organisations and private practices are experiencing a huge demand for counselling," she says. "This demand would not be there if people were coming away from counselling feeling worse.

"My experience and that of my colleagues shows that with the help of counselling people move on from some horrific traumas and are able to lead relatively happy lives."

Debbie, who has a diploma in counselling and an MA in counselling studies from Durham University, practices as a counsellor and teaches counselling at a local college.

She says that, despite the acceptance of counselling as a recognised therapy in the UK, some people still doubt its benefits.

"Clients sometimes initially come to counselling, feeling helpless and a victim of their circumstances - which they may well be," she explains. "But the counselling process can increase a person's awareness and also help a person understand that in nearly every situation we have choices and we can take responsibility for our decisions."

Debbie came to counselling quite young after suffering some close personal losses. "That certainly had a profound effect on me and my view of life," she says. "After leaving school I had some different jobs but always felt like a square peg in a round hole.

"However, I felt I had an ability to listen and understand people; and because of my own losses I had a natural empathy with people who had been bereaved and who were struggling to cope with a loss.

"I realised that I really wanted to be a counsellor and when I made the decision it felt like coming home. It was well worth the wait."

Debbie is primarily a person-centred counsellor, which means that she aims to provide the right conditions for a client's safe self-exploration and growth. She believes that each person has within them the inner resources and strengths to resolve whatever issue or crisis they are dealing with. Debbie appreciates the balance she has in life at the moment - being able to practise as a counsellor and teach counselling.

"However, in the past I've worked with some very vulnerable young people who were living away from home, and I found this particularly rewarding. I hope one day I will be able to direct my counselling to this particular age group," she says.