WHY DO PEOPLE GO TO counseling AND HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS RIGHT FOR ME?

People have many different motivations for coming to counseling.  Some may be going through a major life transition (job changes, going to college, becoming a parent, new/ending relationship, etc.), or are not handling stressful situations well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and seeking purpose.  Counseling can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods.  Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life.   In short, people seeking counseling are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes. 

HOW CAN counseling HELP ME?

A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling. The #1 thing clients at Alive to Thrive Wellness have reported as helpful is having a safe space to express their pain points without fear of judgment or condemnation. Counselors can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved trauma issues, grief, stress management, etc. 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 perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a more helpful strategy. The benefits you obtain from counseling depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from counseling include:

• Attaining a 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 counseling

• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

• Managing anger, grief, and other emotional pressures

• Improving communication and listening skills

• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your marriage

• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

DO I REALLY NEED counseling?  I CAN USUALLY HANDLE MY PROBLEMS.  

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, counseling is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking counseling. And, you get to be an active participant in the process! You should feel empowered to voice whether you agree with what your counselor says or not. Counseling provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to manage triggers, re-direct unhelpful patterns, and take control over whatever challenges you face. 

WHAT IS counseling LIKE?

Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual.  In general, you can expect to discuss the current situations happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue(s), learn new ways to approach and manage these issue(s), and discuss progress/frustrations along the way.  Depending on your specific needs, counseling can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.  Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your counselor (usually weekly).

It is important to understand that you will get more results from counseling if you actively participate in the process.  The ultimate purpose of counseling is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life.  Therefore, beyond the work you do in counseling sessions, your counselor may suggest some things you can do outside of counseling to support your process. People seeking counseling are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.   

WHAT ABOUT MEDICATION VS. counseling?  

It is well established by scientific research 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 curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.  Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and counseling is the right course of action. 

DOES WHAT WE TALK ABOUT IN counseling REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and counselor. Successful counseling requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive topics that is usually not discussed anywhere but the counselor’s office.  Every counselor should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone (unless limits to confidentiality apply- see these situations outlined below).  This is called “Informed Consent”.  Sometimes, however, you may want your counselor to share information with someone (whether an important person in your life, a doctor, etc.), but by law your counselor cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

State law and professional ethics require counselors to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations.

Limits to Confidentiality:

1. When the counselor has a reasonable cause to believe that the client is a danger to his/her self, or to another person.

2. The counselor is also required by law to report any information about or reasonable suspicion of sexual, physical or emotional abuse or neglect of minors or elders to Child Protective Services or Adult Protective Services.

3. If a court of law issues a legitimate subpoena for information stated on the subpoena.