We are living in an age where the acceptance of addressing mental health challenges are on the rise. Because of this, we are seeing a sharp increase in the number of people flocking to their nearest therapist or other mental health provider. If you are at a place in your life where things are difficult, and you aren’t quite sure what to do, you may be considering counseling. There are a wide range of benefits one could gain from engaging in individual, couples, or family counseling.
Clients often find that counseling allows them to gain a different perspective on their current circumstance. I believe that we have all found ourselves at an impasse in life. Times where we feel so consumed by any given problem that it becomes hard to see a way out. Speaking openly and honestly often allows for an increased sense of clarity. Having the opportunity to do this with someone who is able to be objective and offer educated insight from an ‘outsiders’ perspective often lends itself to increased understanding and feelings of empowerment to find solutions or options that hadn’t yet been considered.
In my practice, I have found, that many times clients come in feeling isolated and alone with their issue. I often hear, “I feel like I am the only one who has ever…”, dealt with this, experienced this, had this problem… Having someone to speak openly with about these experiences can help to ease the loneliness that comes with this type of thinking. I find that clients often feel a sense of relief when their feelings and fears can be validated by another. Having the opportunity to explore their experiences with another person who is able to normalize their feelings in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment often leads to a sense of relief that allows them to move from a place of struggle and pain to healing and growth.
Clients who engage in counseling often achieve an enhanced sense of self-awareness. This allows them to identify the ways in which they are manifesting or adding to the problems that they currently face. Once they recognize these things, it becomes easier to replace those maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives. With increased self-awareness and healthier coping skills, many clients find that they are better able to cope with daily stressors.
Enhanced emotional well-being leads to enhanced physical well-being. As a society we are beginning to discover an undeniable link between mental and physical health. Taking care of ourselves mentally and emotionally lessons our vulnerabilities to physical ailments. Likewise, taking care of our physical health through improved diet and exercise as well as other health boosting measures has a significant positive impact on our mental and emotional health. When we feel good physically, our threshold for managing daily stressors in increased. Clients who focus on both often discover enhanced overall wellness.
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