You will need counseling / therapy for many reasons. As it is true that if you are having a medical issue you seek out a Medical Doctor, so it is true that if you are having emotional and/or psychological issues, you need to seek out a Counselor / Therapist. Each profession has its own specialized training. Therapy is an opportunity to learn how to live your life in a more fulfilling and satisfying way. It helps you to respond in a more effective way to the experiences that you are currently having. These experiences could be relationship problems, parenting issues, grief and loss issues, depression, stress related issues, coping skills, addictive behaviors, problem-solving skills, anxiety, etc. If you are having any one of these or other related issues, then counseling / therapy is for you.
What is counseling?
Counseling is simply having a trained and experienced individual, listening and sharing with another, on any given subject matter. This is done in a non-judgmental or non-condemning way. With Helping Families Improve, you will receive confidential and professional services from licensed and / or trained professionals who will respond to each person’s needs with love, honesty, warmth, respect, and integrity. Each counselor is a Christian who understands the importance of counseling from a biblical perspective. We are all from different backgrounds and have specialized training and experience, which allows us to offer assistance to diverse individuals and/or groups with a wide range of life circumstances.
What are some of the benefits?
A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling. Often it is helpful just to know that someone is willing to listen to you in a non-judgmental and confidential way.
Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, relationships, family concerns, the maturation process, and the challenges of daily life.
The success of counseling will depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn during the sessions. Here are some other benefits that can be obtained from therapy:
Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Find new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing your emotions more effectively
Improving communications skills
Discovering new ways to solve problems
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Connect the “dots” between current behavior and past experiences
What to expect!
During sessions you are expected to talk about the primary concerns and issues in your life. The downside to this is that It sometimes involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life. You may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and / or helplessness. On the other hand, therapy has also been shown to have benefits for people who go through it. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress but there are no guarantees of what you will experience.
A session usually lasts 50 minutes. Generally we recommend weekly sessions. Some people who are in crisis or extreme distress need more than one session per week, at least until the crisis passes.
During the time between sessions it is beneficial to think about and process what was discussed. At times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records. For therapy to "work," you must be an active participant, both in and outside of the therapy sessions.
At first it may not seem like much is being accomplished, but as time passes you will begin to see the impact it is having on you. It is like taking a prescribed medication such as an antibiotic given to you by a doctor. You may not see immediately how it is being helpful, but overtime you will notice the benefits. The key is to stay the course and take the medication daily.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and his or her therapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
Exceptions include:
Suspected minor child, disabled individual, or elderly physical or sexual abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person(s). The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim(s).
If a client intends to harm him or herself, the therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.
How many sessions will I have to attend?
The amount of sessions varies. It all depends on the critical nature of the problem being presented. The first few sessions are used to establish goals and objectives. This may be done quickly or within a few sessions. It is very important that a goal is established.
During the course of therapy your goals may change. However, establishing a direction for therapy will help you get the most out of the experience and could assist in determining the amount of sessions.
Therapy involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very comfortable about the therapist you select. If you feel like you are not being helped, please discuss this with your therapist. If nothing changes to your satisfaction, then a referral will be made to another mental health professional.
