Maybe you’ve clicked on this link because you’re questioning if counseling is right for you, maybe you’re asking yourself “What good can counseling do?” or wondering why people even go to counseling. These are all good questions. Truthfully, people come to counseling for several different reasons, which varies from person to person.

What exactly is counseling?

According to the American Counseling Association (ACA), “Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor and client. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health.”

Now that you have an idea about what counseling is, take a minute to check out the top reasons people seek counseling.

7 Reasons Why People Seek Help Through Counseling

1. They’re having difficulty coping with stress. Stress is part of every day life and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. People may seek counseling to help them learn healthy coping skills and different ways to manage everyday stressors.
2. They’ve experienced a significant life transition or event. People often come to counseling after the experience of a stressful or traumatic life event such as the loss of a loved one, abuse, transitioning to adulthood, patterns of addiction, mental illness, job transitions or relationship problems.
3. The problem they’re having is affecting school, work and/or family life. Often, people will realize there is a problem when it begins to interfere with various aspects of their life.
4. They’re experiencing negative thinking patterns. Some people find that they are constantly focusing on the negative or noticing negative self-talk which then directly affects their behavior and emotions.
5. They’re doing everything they can to avoid negative feelings. Uncomfortable emotions are a part of life we can’t make them go away entirely, but we can learn healthy ways of responding to the discomfort through counseling.
6. They’re experiencing mental health issues. The most common mental health disorder is anxiety. Many people come to counseling to learn to manage their symptoms in a non-judgmental, supportive setting.
7. They’re seeking self-improvement. Many people come to counseling even if they don’t have a specific problem that they are wanting to work on. They use counseling as a means of exploration. Counseling can help them clarify their goals, purpose, values, and past experiences leading them on a path of learning and growth.

How will Counseling Benefit Me?

Counseling provides a neutral, safe, non-judgmental environment for you to learn, explore and grow. It can help you gain new perspectives and learn how to cope in healthier ways. Counselors will actively listen and validate your experience while providing education & interventions relating to your specific problem.

If you’re thinking about reaching out for counseling, don’t let doubt, fear or worry hold you back. It can be an extremely valuable experience that will help you make positive changes in your life!

If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please seek help immediately.