How Does The Counseling Process Work?

People tend to fear that which they do not understand.  Many people that I have spoken to over the past few years informed me that they were hesitant to seek counseling or psychotherapy because they did not understand how it worked.  Many were also afraid of divulging an abundance of highly personal information to a counselor or psychotherapist that they had never met before.   
While I could write an entire book on this subject matter, I will abbreviate it to a few key points.  Listed below are some my own personal thoughts on how counseling works: 

• Discussing Personal Issues in a Safe & Confidential Environment.

Those seeking professional help can be assured that anything they choose to discuss in counseling is supposed to remain confidential.  Professional counselors are bound by an ethical code to maintain confidentiality.  The counseling office is oftentimes viewed as a safe house where people feel free to discuss personal issues without feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed.  If for some reason the counselor has to breach confidentiality, they are obligated to notify the client first.  Counselors are legally mandated to notify the proper authorities if: 1) a client threatens to harm oneself, 2) a client threatens to harm someone else, or 3) there is reason to believe a child or an individual unable to care for oneself is being abused.  

• Let go of pain & unrealistic expectations.

One of the first steps one has to take in order to initiate the healing process is to unload pent-up emotional pain and mental anguish.  The positive effect of unloading can be felt immediately and can feel like a heavy burden lifted off of your shoulders.  Doing so with a professional counselor can be beneficial because they are trained to listen and provide emotional support.  Unrealistic expectations often hinder this process.  For instance, one might think that no one else should have to listen to their complaints or bear their burden.  This falls under the unrealistic expectation of believing that one should be able to handle all of their problems without help from others or believing that no one else has the desire to help them.  Counseling can provide a safe place to assist you in identifying unrealistic expectations and  help you change them to more realistic ones.

• Get Through Difficult Life Transitions.

Difficult life transitions can consist of: getting married, getting divorced, starting a new job, losing a job, retirement, starting college, or experiencing the death of a loved one to name a few.  Transitional phases are difficult because they are sometimes unexpected and they take people out of their comfort zones and force them to adapt to a new situation.
There are positive and negative ways to adapt.  For example, someone who loses their job could adapt positively by doing everything in their power to find another job.  Another person could adapt negatively by feeling sorry for him or herself and cease all efforts to find another job.  Those who have adapted negatively to a situation are the ones who should seek counseling.  The counseling process can help them to get back on their feet and re-adapt to their situation in a more positive manner. 

• Get to the Roots of your Problems.

Many times the only way to solve a problem is to get to the root of it.  This involves figuring out when it started, how it started and why it still continues to be a problem.  Counseling can assist the client in solving the roots of their problems which will then eliminate the symtoms attached to them.  This requires time and patience on the part of the person seeking help.
The previous examples are only a glimpse of how counseling and psychotherapy work.  For more information on this subject please visit my website at: http://www.thoughtperspectives.com.