Is counseling right for me?
Seeking out counseling is an individual choice. There are many reasons why
people come to counseling. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing
psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it
is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work
transition. Many seek assistance as they pursue their own personal
exploration and growth. Working with a counselor can help provide insight,
support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Counseling can
help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict,
grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions.
Counseling is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of
their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and
working towards change in their lives.
Do I really need help? 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 selfawareness to realize they need
a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. It is a matter of
accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the
situation by seeking counseling. Counseling provides long-lasting benefits
and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct
damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
How can counseling help me?
Many benefits are available from participating in counseling. Therapists can
provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for
issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved
childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative
blocks. Many people also find that therapists can be a tremendous asset to
managing child and adolescent behavior and emotional issues,
interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, personal
growth, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh
perspective on a difficult problem, or point you in the direction of a
solution. 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
include:
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Helping children & adolescents resolve behavior and emotional issues
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek help
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communication and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
What is counseling like?
Every counseling session is unique and caters to each individual and their
specific goals. Therapists typically discuss the primary issues and concerns
in your life during counseling sessions. Sessions are usually weekly, where
each session lasts around 45 - 50 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. For counseling to be most
effective, you must be an active participant, both during and between the
sessions. People seeking counseling need to be willing to take
responsibility for their actions, to work towards self-change, and to
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. A wellestablished finding is 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 distress and the behavior patterns that curb
progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of
well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should
do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and
find the answers to the following questions:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is my co-payment charge per session?
- What is my co-insurance charge per session?
- How many sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Is counseling confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications
between a client and mental health provider. No information is disclosed
without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required or permitted by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The counselor is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The counselor is required to notify the police and the intended victim.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself, the counselor will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.