A counselor knows what he/she is doing so they will not judge you or ridicule your thought process.
You can be honest without concern for hurting others.
Talk therapy is part of the process. Counselors can offer other coping skills of which you might not have thought.
You may benefit from a few sessions or on-going for a while.
What you have learned can help with future problems.
Counselors can provide perspective our friends and family might not see.
Counseling is not for everyone. But it can be extremely helpful for most. Counseling gets a bad rap. The common misconception is “why do I want to tell a stranger my problems?” The truth is, a qualified stranger is a great choice for your problems.
When is a good time to seek counseling? If you have been advised from friends, family, or another profession, then it is a good time to consider. Other reasons you might consult a counselor would be:
Consuming thoughts that make it hard to concentrate or sleep.
If daily tasks are hard to manage due to your change in mood.
Feelings of anxiety, depression or guilt that will not go away.
Coping skills that are no longer working.
Work life or relationships are suffering due to your challenges to cope.
Compound or complicated grief.
Do not be afraid of counseling. It is not a label. We all need help from time to time. Counseling is a positive part of a good plan for better mental health.
Trauma happens. Trauma is a “deeply distressing or disturbing experience”, according to Oxford Dictionary. What makes an experience traumatic is dependent on how the individual views the event. Examples of trauma are abandonment, abuse, neglect, accidents, death to name a few.
Below is a list of symptoms of trauma (list is not exhaustive):
Difficulty sleeping
Flashbacks
Anxiety
Overeating/eating disorders
Substance abuse
Poor decision making
Relationship issues
Poor job attendance
If you have unresolved issues from your past that are affecting you today, you may need to work through your trauma. Acknowledging the symptoms are related is a great start. It is not an excuse for bad behavior but is a reason for distorted mind sets that can cause negative results.
If you find yourself in these scenarios you might benefit from counseling.
Counseling can identify the cause or root of the issue. Symptoms may resolve within a few sessions or many depending on the severity.
A good counseling relationship will be one that you feel some relief after sessions. You will need to be honest and willing to try new things. The counselor should be someone you trust who has experience in trauma.
Sessions can be a mixture of talk therapy, activities, and suggestions for changing the mindset and healing. The goal in counseling is healing.
If you are interested in counseling Tara Powell Ministries offers reduced rate counseling or can refer you to someone.
Change your tomorrow today by contacting us at www.tarapowellministries.com.
