Counseling often gets a bad rap.
Most think that those who attend counseling have something wrong with them; however, counseling can be beneficial for even the most successful and stable people for many reasons.
Yes, counseling can be utilized by those who are under a great deal of stress, are going through a divorce, have a mental health condition, and many reasons that generally have a stigma attached to them.
But counseling can also be used as a tool to better yourself; it can help you to talk about decisions with an unbiased individual and help you to present yourself in the best light possible.
Why Should I See a Counselor if I Do Not Have Any Problems?
Everyone, whether they want to admit it or not, has some problems. While there are people who live a generally balanced and stable life, these folks can still benefit from the advice on managing challenging situations from time to time.
Ignoring your struggles can be a bad habit; if you fail to admit that you are struggling in a somewhat innocuous situation, then when you have a big problem, you may not be willing to seek help. All of this denial can be a slippery slope.
Instead of being closed-minded to counseling, consider how your life can improve by talking out situations with someone who has no stake in your personal life.
Would it be helpful to talk about how to manage a situation at work better? Approach a delicate situation with your spouse? Tell your significant other that you want to take a promotion that would require a move, and you do not want them to go with you?
Everyone has challenging issues in life, and talking to a counselor can help you to understand what you want to happen as an outcome and what you may end up facing. Then you can discuss how you will manage these subsequent situations so that you come out not feeling bad or that you are making a wrong decision.
Is it Alright That I Have Never Seen a Counselor?
Yes. Whether you have been in counseling for years, or you have never taken advantage of counseling, it does not make you a good or bad person. Those who have attended counseling are often able to manage challenging situations better. This is not to say that those who have not participated in counseling are not capable of dealing with adverse conditions.
Either way, counseling can be a good thing for everyone who partakes.
What If I Have Been in Counseling for Years and Do Not Seem to Be Getting Any Better?
Some people have been in counseling for years to treat a mental health condition, such as a mood disorder or PTSD. While you may feel that counseling can still benefit you, but you are not getting anywhere new with your therapist, it is perfectly okay to seek advice from a new counselor.
While psychology is a science-based practice, not everyone practices the same way. Some therapists are more compassionate, where others are more brass and bold. Some may tell you what they think you want to hear where others do not sugar coat things.
If you feel as though you are in a rut with your counselor, look around and see if there is someone else that can be a better fit for your needs. Chances are there is always someone who can help you just a little bit better than the treatment you are currently taking part in or the therapist you are seeing.
Just be mindful that not all therapists are covered by all insurance companies. While many large practices take most insurance, smaller practices or those who own their own practice may only accept a handful of insurance plans.
My Family Tells Me I Need Counseling But I Think I Am Fine
If you have been told that you could benefit from counseling, do not take it as a bad thing. Everyone can benefit from counseling. Those who refuse to see a therapist are often in denial or have deeply seeded issues that they do not want others to know about or want to discuss.
If you are adamant that you do not need counseling, you need to ask yourself why.
- Do you have a past that you do not want to discuss?
- Did you have a rough childhood that you left behind and want to keep it buried?
- Do you think that your life if perfect and cannot get any better?
Regardless of why you think that you do not feel you need to see a therapist, think about how your life can improve if you did. You may find yourself ready to schedule an appointment.
At the end of the day, everyone needs counseling for a healthy lifestyle. Whether you think that you could benefit from it directly or indirectly, you should most definitely give it a try. If you are not sure where to start, check out BetterHelp counseling. They are a web-based counseling service that can connect you with the right therapists. You can also find more information on Twitter.
Author Bio:
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.