Who should see a counselor?

When a couple asked a pastor if he would perform their marriage ceremony, he explained that he likes to give several sessions of premarital counseling before performing weddings. To which they replied, “We don’t need counseling. We’ve both been married several times before.”

Some people think they don’t need help when they desperately do!

Others know they need help but are afraid to seek it, don’t know where to find it, or can’t afford it.

And many wonder if they really need to see a counselor.

Who could benefit by spending time with a professional clinical therapist or counselor? Many people could, including the following:

People struggling with a mental illness. This should be a “given,” but just as many people who are physically sick “hem and haw” about going to see a physician, people with a mental illness can do the same about seeing a clinical mental health professional. Don’t hesitate! Overwhelming data shows (and it has been my professional experience) that clinical therapy is very effective in helping people overcome mental illness.

For improving and maintaining your mental health. Learning how to reduce or even eliminate stress, learning to overcome negative self-talk and cognitive distortions, learning how to replace negative coping mechanisms with healthier choices and behaviors, or learning how to deal with other issues that test our mental health, can all be addressed by seeing a competent counselor.

Overcoming addiction. Yes, there are some remarkable stories of people beating some kind of addiction on their own, but those stories are rare in comparison to the many others whose lives are ravaged by addictions that they cannot beat without help. If you’re suffering from an addiction of any kind, you NEED the help of a skilled, competent clinician.

Facing crises. A skilled counselor can help you face the multiple issues involved in dealing with life crises. It’s during critical times such as crises that the skills of a counselor can help you make rational, wise decisions to first manage your crises, and then move toward healing.

Dealing with grief and loss. Experiencing grief and loss can be some of the most painful and confusing times of our lives. Having the help of a competent counselor to navigate those times can be life-changing.

Dealing with life events. Life changes in many ways throughout our lives, whether we want it to or not. There are a variety of events that happen in life for which we can use the help of a skilled clinician to walk through.

Improving, managing, and maintaining relationships. Our greatest blessings in life — and most of our greatest challenges — will involve relationships with other people, Whether it’s a marriage, parenting, family systems, employment-related, or friendships, counseling can be a great asset for saving and reconciling damaged relationships, and enhancing and maintaining any of them.

Personal development. Many counselors are competent at helping and equipping people in growing to their next level of personal development.

Professional and leadership development. Some counselors specialize in helping professionals develop their skills for greater achievement, and for equipping leaders in their leadership ability.

Career counseling. A counselor specializing in this field can help people discover what kinds of employment they are best suited for, and how to succeed in their careers.

These are some of the reasons why a person might want to seek the services of a counselor or therapist, and could likely benefit a great deal by doing so. You may have yet another reason! Whatever the case, don’t be shy or hesitant about seeking the services of a competent, skilled counselor; they are there to help you work through whatever troubles or challenges you might be facing in life, and are committed to your best interests.

Scotty