Is counseling right for me? Seeking counseling is an individual choice. There are a variety of reasons why people come to counseling. Sometimes it is to address long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is for help dealing with unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many people seek the advice of a counselor as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a counselor can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for multitude of life challenges. Counseling can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, anger, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Counseling is right for anyone who is interested in living their best life. Counseling can help anyone get the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards positive change in their lives. Do I really need counseling? Most everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated past difficulties, there's nothing wrong with seeking additional support when you need it. Counseling is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need help, and that takes courage. Taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to positive change by seeking counseling is admirable. Counseling provides long-lasting benefits and support. It equips you with the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you might face.
How can therapy help me? There are a number of benefits to participating in psychotherapy. Counselors provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief and loss, stress management, body image and self-esteem issues, creative blocks and life transitions. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the struggles of daily life. Counselors can provide a fresh, nonjudgmental and unbiased perspective for difficult problems or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you can gain from counseling depend on how you participate in the process and how much you practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
Better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new positive ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new and improved ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems within your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like? Each counseling session is unique and tailored to each individual and the specific goals they identify. It is common practice for counselors to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. Weekly or bi-weekly sessions are scheduled, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Counseling can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. These actions are a fundamental part of the therapeutic process and allow the integration of what has been discussed in session to be put into practice between sessions. For counseling to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards positive self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of counseling:
Compassion, respect and understanding
Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
Real strategies for enacting positive change
Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
Is medication a substitute for counseling? In some cases a combination of medication and counseling is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, counseling addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that thwart our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.