All you need to know about counseling

You might have thought about going to counseling for a while. Actually, couples tend to wait 6 years until they start up therapy. Sometimes during the waiting time, more damage occurs and more repairing will be needed. This blog is to help you understand all about counseling, why starting counseling is important, and how to make the right decision. Counseling is NOT a one-size-fits-all all. You need to find the right fit (and we are here to help you learn how to do that!). Counseling is beneficial and a rewarding experience for many people. Some people love counseling, whereas others don’t really like it all (but simply go to appease their partner or because they “have to”). 

Here are some KEY things you need to know about counseling:

1. Finding the right therapist: When you are seeking out a therapist, it can be so difficult to find the right fit therapist. You might look on PsychologyToday or review Google profiles. It can be such an overwhelming process. When you are looking for a counselor, review the websites, read the bios, learn about their theoretical model (the school of thought and therapy approach). And here is the kicker – therapists are really bad at answering their phone (but we answer most and call within 1 business day!). Make sure to leave many messages for many therapists, because a few therapists won’t call you back.
2. Consultations or specialized scheduler: When you finally get through the phone, you might be able to set up a free consultation over the phone or in person. Other companies offer a coordinator to learn about your concerns and then place you with the best-fit therapist. Here at Estes Therapy, we have a coordinator that spends time with our clients on the phone, asks questions about what is going on, and then schedules the session with the best fit therapist for your exact needs. Be prepared to share what is going on (the best you can) and they will get you scheduled.
3. Insurance or No Insurance: We all love using our insurance. However, insurance providers pick a fee and pay clinicians based on what they have decided to pay. Not what the clinician’s fee is. Psychotherapists get underpaid by insurance, so some therapy practices are cash practices. You can always ask for a superbill. This is a common struggle in the health field and causes problems for both the client and the therapist.
4. Counseling is NOT a one-size fits all: Most of our clients aren’t aware of this, but counselors don’t have the same approach. They all have different theoretical models and work in different ways/styles. Some are quiet, and help you figure out your thoughts, whereas others are direct and goal-oriented. One therapist may want you to turn right, where the other therapist might tell you to turn left. What this means is they will have different strategies on how to handle problems and the solutions may be different – yet results are the same.
5. Talk it out! Counseling can help people to understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by talking through the hard stuff. By talking about the challenges, you will make connections that you didn’t expect. The therapist asks questions to help you get clarity or understand the bigger issues. It is like taking the tangled up Christmas lights – session by session you untangle it, making it less chaotic, with strategies all set up. The great part about counseling is that it can help people develop new coping skills and strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and depression, and other emotional challenges. It can also help people to cope with grief and loss. This can lead to improved emotional regulation, greater self-awareness, and a stronger sense of resilience. 
6. Amount of sessions: We hear this question daily – “How many sessions will it take?” Welp. There is no straight forward answer here. It will take how long it takes. It really depends on the goals, struggles, history, traumas, wounds, etc. Your therapist will assess the situation in the first few sessions and will have a clearer idea of what is going on. After session, 2 or 3, ask your therapist about how long it might take to reach the goals you set in counseling.

Here is the main concept about Counseling – it is a process of helping people understand and resolve their problems. It can be done by a variety of professionals, including psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapist, and social workers. Counseling can be helpful for people who are struggling with a variety of issues, including:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Loss
• Relationship problems
• Career problems
• Substance abuse
• Mental health problems

But over all, counseling IS helpful for people who are looking (and intentionally) wanting to make changes in their lives, such as improving their relationships, achieving their goals, and living a more fulfilling life. If you aren’t looking for change, counseling won’t be the thing for you. BUT, if you are tired of toxic relationships, or exhausted of feeling like roommates, then start up the counseling.

Counseling is a form of therapy that involves a trained professional helping individuals to address their emotional, psychological, and interpersonal problems.

And some other key things you should know about counseling:

1. Counseling is a confidential process that involves a non-judgmental and supportive therapist who listens to your concerns and helps you to develop strategies to manage your problems.
2. Counseling can address a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, addiction, trauma, grief, and more.
3. There are many different types of counseling, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, emotionally focused therapy, EMDR, and others.
4. The therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist is an essential part of the counseling process. It’s important to find a therapist who you feel comfortable talking to and who you trust.
5. Counseling can be short-term or long-term, depending on the client’s needs and goals. Some people may only need a few sessions to work through a specific problem, while others may benefit from ongoing therapy.
6. Counseling can be done in individual, group, or family settings, depending on the client’s needs and preferences.
7. Counseling is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and different therapists may have different approaches to treatment. It’s important to find a therapist who has experience working with the issues you want to address.
8. Counseling can be a transformative experience that can help you to improve your quality of life, enhance your relationships, and build resilience in the face of challenges.

Just remember, seeking counseling is not easy. It is a hard road and we are proud of you for looking. If you have more information you’d like to share about counseling, comment below. Share your ideas. And better yet, give us a call if you’d like to find a therapist that fits your needs.