Counseling has gained popularity in the past decade or so. This is in large part because the stigma once associated with therapy has been fading. Today, more people are comfortable seeing a counselor as well as sharing their experience with close friends and even online. The growing popularity of regular counseling is promising because of the numerous benefits it can provide to a person. If you’ve never been to counseling, it might feel daunting to consider giving it a try. However, the benefits are often worth facing those fears and moving forward with seeing a mental health professional.
What is Counseling?
Counseling is a professional approach between a counselor and their client to address a variety of concerns or mental health issues. Counselors help their clients identify solutions to their problems, give them tools for coping with stressors, and equip them with healthier thought processes. Over time, a person may experience less emotional turmoil. Everyone’s experience with counseling will be different. Some people go for a single session and feel better while most will need weeks, months, or years to feel better. Sometimes, a person goes to counseling for a lifetime.
Types of Counseling
The different types of counseling include family, individual, couples, and group counseling. Everyone will need something different, so it’s good to explore your options and find which kind would be best for you. Sometimes, you will need a mixture of services. For example, many couples do individual therapy on top of marital counseling.
Different counselors are equipped for different kinds of therapies. The most common is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT as it can address a wide range of problems. However, there are many other options out there that you and your counselor can discuss together. Some counselors are trained in specific areas or treat certain mental health disorders. You can usually access this information on their website or by calling the office.
If you decide you’d like to try counseling, consider what traits you’d like to have in a counselor. Do you want someone of a certain gender? Are there therapies you’d like to try? Should they have special qualifications? Do you want them to be older or closer to your age? These are all good questions to ask in your search. If you start counseling with one person and don’t have a good experience or aren’t improving after some time, it’s okay to switch providers. Therapy is about you, and you need to make decisions that benefit your life and mental health first and foremost.
The Benefits of Counseling
There are an endless number of benefits should you choose to go to counseling. Some of these might include:
- Improved relationships
- Better communication skills
- More positive thinking patterns and mindset
- Increased ability to manage stress
- Able to cope better with symptoms of mental health conditions
- Better emotional expression
- More problem-solving techniques
- Increased self-esteem and confidence
- Ability to recognize defeating thought patterns
- Healthier habits
- Better at conflict resolution
- Increased understanding of mental health conditions
- More empathy and compassion for oneself
Often, going to counseling will create multiple benefits in your life. You may not see these benefits right away, but with time and patience, you should start to see them. Making changes in your life takes time and effort. The more stressed you are or the more debilitating your mental health condition, the harder it might be for you to see the effects of your new habits in your life. However, rest assured that your efforts are not in vain. It is better to move slowly than not at all, so keep going even when it gets hard. Hopefully, you will have a counselor who encourages and supports you at every step along the way.
Counseling Myths
There are a lot of misconceptions about counseling, many of which make people hesitant to see one. If you are struggling and need help, know that it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You deserve support. You may think your friends and family will think less of you but know that the people who love you would want you to feel better. Many people choose to go to counseling because it’s what’s best for them.
Some people are concerned about being put on medication but know that a good counselor will address the root causes of your problems first. Then, if they think medication is needed, they’ll talk to you about it. Always talk with a doctor before starting a new medication. Although therapy can be expensive, there are plenty of resources available for free or low-cost counseling. So, don’t let that be a barrier. Just because you start going to counseling does not mean you’ll have to go forever. In fact, you can stop anytime you’d like. Some people go for weeks, months, years, or their whole life. Everyone is different and you are not committing to a lifetime of therapy by giving it a try. The experience is all about your wants and needs.
Going to counseling is a big decision, but it’s one that people are turning to in increasing numbers. If you’re considering seeing a counselor, but are still hesitant, know that there’s nothing wrong with giving it a try. If you do decide to go but change your mind, there’s no pressure to return. You might also consider trying online therapy if you’re worried about seeing someone in person. Whether you choose to see someone in person or online, make sure you are taking care of yourself and doing what’s best for you. While it’s important to lean on loved ones during times of difficulty, they may not always be able to give you the kind of support you need. However, a counselor can be there for you with plenty of advice to give from a nonjudgmental, unbiased perspective. Reach out to one today to get started.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
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