Keep These Ideas in Mind to Get the Most Out of Counseling
Counseling can be a transformative process, but not without work on both you and your counselor's part. Here are four things therapists would like you to take into consideration when you're participating in counseling.
Know your needs
The key to effective counseling is knowing what you are seeking to gain from it. Do you want to work through self-esteem issues or are you seeking counseling to help strengthen your relationship? Having clear ideas about your needs will help you choose the right counselor to help you achieve your goals.
Clearly defining what you expect to achieve is the first step to successful counseling. Make sure you and your counselor discuss your goals, as well as realistic timelines on which you both believe they can be achieved and how you will measure your progress.
Foundations Counseling staff have expertise in a number of areas such as addiction , anxiety , anger management , depression , grief and loss and more, and work with individuals , couples , families , and children and teens .
It takes two
For counseling to be effective, it must be a reciprocal relationship. You could have the best counselor in the world, but if you're not willing to put in the effort of deep self examination and complete honesty, the process simply won't work.
Only you can make changes in your life, but a counselor can help you identify and control obstacles that stand in the way of change. If the obstacles are beyond your control, a counselor can help you develop strategies to cope with those obstacles and improve your well-being.
A counselor also can help you identify negative thinking patterns that deepen your anxiety or sadness and can help you identify your strengths to create a more positive outlook. Similarly, a good counselor can help you recognize your behaviors that contribute to difficult relationships and help you develop more effective ways of communicating.
Key to all of it is you: your role in the counseling process is just as important as your counselor's.
Chemistry counts
Just as your effort is key to the process, so, too, is your comfort level with your counselor. Personality, approach and style all have an impact on the counseling process and if you don't like or relate to your counselor, you're not likely to see results.
If you're not comfortable after the first few sessions, it's OK to seek another counseling professional to help you with your goals.
While evaluating your chemistry, keep in mind your counselor is not your best friend or your mom, but a professional with a job to do. A counselor is not there to tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear to improve your well-being.
Remember it's a journey
Counseling is not a silver bullet or a magic potion to cure all that is weighing you down emotionally and mentally. It is a process that takes time. View effective counseling as a journey, and just as you wouldn't quit a road trip before reaching your destination, don't abandon counseling before you achieve your goals.
To learn more about our counseling options or our staff, contact us today!
