Is counseling even right for me? Does it work?

Counseling is wierd. At the end of the day, we are paying to talk to someone, to have a conversation, to have a brief moment in time to have your thoughts, your experiences, your memories be heard. Why be a part of something that you could do (for free) with your partner, a friend, a family member, or close co-worker, your hairstylist or barber? Why do this talking thing in a setting where there’s a person who went to school to learn how to talk to people and try to make them feel better? How can that even be a thing? The question really becomes, “What makes talking to a counselor, different than talking to someone we already know and trust"?”

‍ ‍The biggest difference? Honesty and accountability. We therapists, counselors, mental health professionals, we’re not your friend, nor your family member, we are an objective person in your life that will get to know you, your strengths, your weaknesses, your vulnerabilities, your pride, your shames. And that feels a little cruel to say and read, right? You share so much of yourself with someone, things someone else may never know and somehow this person outside of your circle, will help you feel understood or seen, or validated. This is why this weird thing can work. Counseling is a space where people hopefully achieve the comfort, the ability, the encouragement to be honest, truthful and open with themselves and someone other than themself. I will tell you how it is…with care of course, with empathy and understanding, and when necessary, a bit more direct than what you may be used to. As challenging or uncomfortable as that may feel to do, it’s part of the journey of getting to know you and your world better.

Is counseling right for you? Does it work? It can, but it’s not for everyone. Counseling is right when you want someone new, a professional, an objective person to give you feedback, perspectives, interventions to analyze yourself, your world, your loved ones with hopefully things just simply getting…better. Counseling is right for when you simply want to be a better version of yourself, counseling can help figure out what that even looks like and how to get there. And counseling is especially right when you just need to really let loose in an environment that feels safe to do so.

All therapists are different, we have different styles, strategies, clinical backgrounds, we see problems differently based on our own beliefs of we live life and deal with it. But across the board, when you’re ready to take that journey, look to feel comfortable and validated first above all.