For years, society has had a stigma with talking openly about our struggles. Fortunately, we have seen a rising awareness in the importance of mental health support and the positive impact that talking about our mental health openly can have.
You might come to see a counselor for a variety of reasons. You may be facing a life-changing event that has created shock or grief. You may be experiencing feelings of depression and isolation, low self-esteem, or suffering from feelings of anxiety without fully understanding why. Perhaps you are experiencing difficulties in a significant relationship that you are unable to manage in a healthy way. You may be having extreme emotional feelings that affect your daily life, keeping you in an uncomfortable place. These and other ongoing issues, without the knowledge and support of how to overcome them, can leave you feeling lost or trapped.
Counselors can help you navigate these feelings, and by speaking to a counselor you are able to explore your feelings and experiences. One of a counselor's main role is to listen to you and offer wisdom, guidance and support.
The relationship you form with your counselor is built on an environment of trust. It can take some time to relax into sessions, but over time, you will start to feel better. Counseling provides a safe space to explore the issues that are affecting you. Initially it can be difficult to talk about the personal issues you are facing. Perhaps you have never felt that anyone has really listened to you or understood you. This will become easier as you grow more comfortable with talking about how you feel. Asking for help is a big step, so be patient with yourself; it takes time.
So in conclusion counseling's main objective is to help you find and bring about the changes that are possible. Remember, there is no weakness in needing help, and you don't need to go through life's struggles alone.