 Why is it a good idea to go to counselling? Because there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help. Counselling is there to support people trying to cope with a wide range of circumstances. Unfortunately, there are so many misconceptions all over our society about what it means to talk to a mental health professional. So often, the need to talk about your emotions is taken as being weak. That stigma is so powerful that it often prevents people from seeking help in the first place But here’s the reality: therapy is an incredibly useful tool that helps with a range of issues anywhere from anxiety to sleep to relationships to trauma. Continuous research shows that counselling is incredibly effective in helping people manage mental health conditions. Just being able to talk to someone without fear of judgment or criticism is a powerful way to better ourselves. When friends and family aren’t always the best sources of support or information, we often find ourselves resorting to the internet to solve our programs. Most of the time, neither of those options are effective. Friends and family can mean well, but they are coming to the table with their own thoughts and opinions that could influence the advice they are giving you. As a therapist, we make sure to approach your issues neutrally and learn to understand your thought process in order to give support that will truly serve you. A professional counsellor can help you work through just about everything. They go through years of education and training, and many of them have seen a huge variety of situations and experiences. You can always feel comfortable seeking help from a counsellor because they are as objective as it gets, and the best part is that everything is confidential.
The most important thing to remember is that counselling can be extremely beneficial to you and your overall health. Everyone deserves some time to focus on themselves. There are so many things life can throw at us, and we aren’t meant to get through them alone. If you need to talk, we are here to listen.
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 "This is important because when life throws us its ups and downs, we don’t stay down for quite as long."
When you are feeling anxious about something, try focusing on how your feelings can change.   There are so many options when it comes to counsellors that it can feel pretty overwhelming trying to decide who you should reach out to. Here are some ideas you can look for when choosing between potential counsellors.
Bottom line: don't hesitate to reach out to a handful of therapists to see who might be the best fit. If you attend your first session and it doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to restart the process. Therapists are used to this, and should not take it personally. The most important thing is that you feel a strong therapeutic relationship with your therapist so that lasting positive changes can be made in your life. Soul gazing is a nonverbal way of communicating couples can utilize to enhance intimacy in the relationship that may have been previously unexplored. Here's how to do it...   “How do I find a counsellor? Where do I even start?”
Sometimes, just finding a therapist is one of the biggest hurdles for people interested in counselling or psychotherapy. If you are feeling that way, you are not alone (but if you're here reading this page, then you've already taken the first step and for that, you should be proud!). If I am not the right therapist for you, some great options to find counsellors are:
 Though each individual client is unique and will have varying therapeutic outcomes, there are a few aspects of psychotherapy/counselling that should always be true.
While counselling can be uncomfortable, your therapeutic relationship should not be. Find a counsellor you feel comfortable with - don’t settle for a bad fit. You may even want to try one or two counsellors to be sure you found someone you feel the most connected to. This is an important aspect of counselling and one to be considered a top priority. Counselling is a partnership. Many people reaching out for counselling have an expectation that the therapist will tell them what to do and if they do it, things will get better. Expect therapy to be a partnership, because healing is relational. Therapy should feel like a collaboration. Counselling MUST be a safe space. Though times may be unpleasant, or challenging, frustrating or unpleasant memories and emotions may come up, you should always feel comfortable and safe in therapy. If you don't, that particular situation is likely not a good fit for you.  When it comes to counselling and psychotherapy, everyone's needs and goals are vastly different, therefore it is nearly impossible to state an exact timeline for counselling. How long counselling lasts depends on many factors; you may have multiple things you want to process and work through, or a relatively straightforward singular problem you just want to vent about. Some therapy treatment types are short term, while others may last much longer. Practically speaking, maybe your insurance coverage/finances might also limit you. However, regardless of what you are wanting counselling to address, the length of therapy is an important aspect to bring up with your therapist at the beginning. This will give both you and your therapist an idea of what goals to work towards and what you want to accomplish. Never be afraid to revisit this issue at any time during the therapy process. Remember, goals are always changing and life is constantly evolving, as humans we have to be open to changing with it!   To make the most out of counselling, you will need to focus on taking what you learn in counselling and applying it to real life. The reality is that 50 minutes once a week can only do so much to make a long-lasting change in your life - like all other skills, it takes practice!
Here are a few tips to make the most out of your sessions: Don’t expect a therapist to tell you what to do. Therapy, progress and recovery is a partnership. The therapist will guide you and make suggestions towards positive change, but only you can make the changes. Be open about your feelings. You will get the most out of therapy if you are open and honest about what is going on. If you are embarrassed, ashamed, or unwilling to talk about something, communicate that with your therapist. Slowly you can work toward moving forward. Make healthy lifestyle changes. There are side things you can do that will help support your mental and emotional health. Reach out to others, eat well, exercise often, get plenty of sleep, and allow time to unwind and relax. As simple as these steps sound, they have tremendous impact on mental and emotional wellbeing. Commit to therapy. Try your best not to skip sessions unless you have to. If your therapist gives you homework, be sure to do it. If you are feeling reluctant about therapy or feeling nervous to talk about something, tell your therapist but be sure to believe in the process and give it time.  Many leading experts in the field of psychotherapy have found that it is the client's relationship with their therapist that is the strongest predictor of treatment success. Since this is such an important component to therapy, here are a couple of questions to get you thinking if your therapist is a good fit for you: Does it seem like your therapist truly cares about you and your experiences? Do you feel your therapist understands or “gets” you? Is your therapist constantly trying to “fix” you or do you feel accepted as you are? Do you feel your therapist creates a safe place to talk about personal and sensitive topics? Do you feel like you can be open and honest around your therapist? If you answered yes to most of these questions, sounds like you have a perfect pairing. If you answered no, don't lose hope. Try talking to your therapist about your feelings and allow your therapist time to adjust their approach to fit your needs. It is also important to remember that when it comes to therapists, just like friends, there are different personalities, styles, areas of expertise, etc.. so if one isn't a good fit, chances are another one will be.  |
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