People ask from time to time what I do for a living and I share with them - “I have the best job in the world!” As a counselor in Midlothian, I get to help people through some of the most painful and challenging times of their lives, but also celebrate their victories and growth. In a conversation I had the other day, we were sharing our own thoughts about what keeps people from seeking out counseling and asking for the help they need.
Have you heard these Top 5 Myths about Counseling?
I wonder if any of these misconceptions keep you from contacting a counselor for help. Wouldn’t it be worthwhile to have the help of someone specifically trained to help you navigate difficult circumstances in life? If any of these resonate with you and keep you feeling apprehensive - let’s talk about it, it’s okay to ask for help!
All counselors are the same.
On the contrary - each individual counselor has their own unique approach to therapy. We may have similar foundations that contribute to how we believe the process of healing occurs and we might even use some of the same techniques. But, the way we interact with clients and guide them through the healing process may be as different as different flavors of ice cream. Just because you don’t care for one flavor doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t like ice cream at all. You would probably try a few more flavors before giving up. Maybe you could approach finding a counselor the same way - try it out and ask for help. If it’s not a good fit for you - try a different one.
Counseling is expensive and will last forever.
According to the CDC, a person’s mental health is important to the quality of their overall health. By ignoring the symptoms and signs of mental distress, you may actually be increasing your chances of experiencing some type of chronic illness - such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, stroke, etc. Although there is a cost to counseling, it may actually be less costly in the long run to invest in yourself by spending the time, energy, and money it takes to get and stay emotionally healthy.
Even though the amount of time in counseling will vary from client to client, my goal from the beginning of our first session together is to work myself out of a job. We will work together to help you start feeling better and reach your goals as soon as possible.
If I go to therapy, people will think I’m weak.
I hear this a lot but my experience as a counselor has proven otherwise. It takes a lot of courage and strength to face the parts of life that have caused you great pain and distress. It is hard work, but you don’t have to do it alone!
Talking about your problems only makes them worse.
When you don’t talk about your problems and just push them down, it may work for a while but eventually, they resurface. For instance, if you hold a beach ball under the surface of the water, after a while when your arms get tired and you can’t hold it down anymore, it shoots up out of the water in unexpected directions. Much like the beach ball, when it’s too difficult to continue holding down painful issues and emotions, they will come up sideways and often unexpectedly. While it may be uncomfortable to talk about the difficult and painful parts of your life, it’s the first step of your journey to breaking free from the things that keep you feeling hurt, stuck, and alone.
It’s too late to find help!
There’s always room for change. As a professional counselor, I get a front-row seat to people’s amazing resilience and strength in overcoming challenges that felt overwhelming and hopeless. It’s not too late for you either.
I hope this helps you challenge any misconceptions you have about counseling. If you are still feeling unsure, feel free to call me at 972-761-5800 for a free 15-minute phone consultation.