Counseling and Is It Right For Me?
Counseling, also referred to as therapy or psychotherapy, is meeting with a professional therapist to help resolve problem behaviors, irrational thought patterns, depression, anxiety, marital issues and a whole host of other related problems in your life. Starting counseling is a big leap to becoming a healthier version of you. It is the unfolding of who you are and the awareness of not only who you are but how you can create peace and happiness in your life. Counseling seeks to help you change the self destructive patterns and behaviors you are caught in a cycle with.
Counseling is unique for every individual and therapist apply several modalities and forms of intervention to assist you in achieving your goals. You will learn the steps to take to reach these goals. This can be done in individual counseling, family therapy, marriage counseling or in a group setting. Counseling is a private and safe place for you to explore and get honest with yourself.
Counseling Benefits
In session the client learns more about who they are as well as acquires the skill set to use after the therapy process is over. Below are some of the benefits that therapy provides:
- Improved awareness and communication as well as interpersonal skills.
- A greater sense of self-acceptance and improved self-esteem.
- The ability to change the self-defeating thought and behaviors/habits.
- Better ability to express oneself and manage their emotions as well as anger.
- Relief from symptoms of depression, extreme anxiety and other painful mental health conditions
- Increased feeling of self confidence and improved decision-making skills.
- The ability to effectively manage stress.
- Improved sense of problem-solving and the ability to resolve conflict with ease.
Therapy is a wonderful and useful tool to help assist people live a happy and fulfilling life. You are able to seek the solitude from the busy work life and hustle and bustle of the world to do nothing but explore yourself and better understand yourself in relation to others around you.
Counseling and how to choose the right therapy for me
It is important that you feel comfortable with your therapist. Always interview them and understand their approach. Read my approach to understand my belief on approaching the individual in therapy. You want a therapist that is able to challenge you and support your growth and goals. A good therapists is there to listen and help you to seek your blind spots. Those areas that you are unaware of. Give therapy a try today.
What Counseling is not
- A counselor that does not have training and that is not sufficient. They lack the specific educational training to address your needs.
- Therapist who lack any interest in focusing on the changes you want to work on.
- The counselor is unable to define clearly how to assist you and help to resolve the issues presented.
- A therapist that is not specific as to how long you will need therapy. Is unable to give you a clear plan.
- When a therapist makes guarantees, promises they cannot deliver on.
- Therapist that have a past record of complaints that are filed against them with their licensing board.
- A counselor that is very judgmental or overly critical of your comments, your lifestyle, or the problems you face.
- Therapist that “look down” at you and gives you the feeling of inferiority.
- Counselor that blames your partner, a family member or a friend,
- Counselor that encourages you to also blame family, your friends, or a partner.
- Therapist that knowingly or even unknowingly is getting their own personal needs met by talking about themselves at the expense of you getting the help you need.
- Counselor attempts to be more of a friend than your therapist.
- Therapist that is loose with hugs and does not uphold your boundaries.
- Counselor that makes advances and desires a relationship romantically with you.
- A counselor tries to get your help with an unrelated issue other than therapy.
- A therapist that discloses your personal information without your prior authorization.
- When a counselor tells you information personal that relates to another client.
Take the time to really research they type of therapist you feel will be the right fit for you. Remember that we provide a service and that you have every right to interview us. We should earn your trust so that you feel confident and safe that you have chosen the best fit for you.