Can A Counselor Help With Life Problems?

This Way, That Way, Which Way, Right Way? Marriage Counseling DecisionsA counselor or a therapist is a certified professional who helps people deal with various emotional or mental health issues. The type of therapy a counselor can offer is talking with the person, learning about their background, their problems and their behavioral patterns.

 

Thus, the counselor can identify the root of a person’s emotional or psychological issues and suggest a specific course of treatment. In some cases, the counselor can help the patient simply by talking to them and teaching them to change their thought system and behaviors in order to live a better life.

 

In other cases, the counselor will refer the patient to another specialist, such as a psychiatrist or a neurologist, if the problem is beyond their field of expertise.

 

What Kind of Life Problems Can Be Solved by Counseling?

Each of us faces problems along their lives. Some of us have tense relationships with family members, even searching for marriage counseling near me to assist. Others find it hard to have a positive self image and outlook on future. For others, stress at work is the source of major anxiety or depression.

 

In some cases, people break down under the pressure of life problems and resort to alcohol, drugs or medication to cope with them. In turn, this addiction leads to more problems, including poor performance at work and loss of meaningful relationships.

 

A good counselor can help with these issues and others, such as:

  • Major life changes leaving the person uprooted
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Body image issues
  • Eating and/or sleeping disorders
  • Concerns about sexual/gender identity.

 

Why Should You Seek a Counselor If You Experience Burdensome Life Problems?

Unfortunately, myths and preconceptions prevent many people from seeking help and finding the relief they need. Here are some of them disproved by reasons to talk to a counselor to solve life problems.

 

  1. Counseling Is a Sign of Weakness

It takes a lot of courage to admit you have a major life problem and seek counseling. People who go to a counselor are brave and strong – they want to take control over their life again and live it to the fullest.

 

  1. You Are Smart Enough to Solve Your Problems

Being smart, intelligent, with a high IQ etc. has nothing to do with falling victim to depression, addictions or other mental problems. A counselor is specialized in providing patients with the tools and behavioral patterns that helps them get over the issues. It takes years of training to learn these tools – they are not readily available to a person simply by being smart and intelligent.

 

  1. You Do Not Wash Your Dirty Laundry in Public

Patient-doctor confidentiality applies to any discussion between a counselor and their patient. There is nothing public about the revelations made during these talks. A counselor will not disclose what they heard even to the patient’s closest family members.

 

  1. Only Crazy People Need Counseling

Crazy is a term that has no meaning in the field of mental illnesses. It is a layman’s term that is both inaccurate and offensive. Everyone experiences difficulties in life at a point or another. Either through trauma, excessive stress or bio-chemical reactions, anyone may suffer from mood disorders. And none of these people are crazy. They just need professional help with their life problems to get back on track.