Common Myths About Seeing a Counselor
Television shows, movies, and other popular media often portray visiting a mental health counselor as an awkward, surreal meeting. While this might be the case for some, a counseling session is generally a much more pleasant and meaningful experience than what we see on television. Counseling is intended for anyone and everyone, and is proven to change lives for the better (do an internet search for “Smith & Glass, 1983” or “Wampold, 2001” and get your fill of research backing). The following are a few clarifications about what counseling is and is not, based on some common myths I have heard over the years. Having a better understanding about what to expect when visiting a counselor will help you make a more informed decision about whether it’s right for you!
You most likely won’t be asked to lay on a couch (unless you are visiting a hardcore Freudian Psychoanalyst, or need to take a nap).
You are more than welcome to lay on a couch during a counseling session if you want, but generally it looks more like two people sitting in comfortable chairs, having a cup of tea or coffee while conversing about the presenting issue for the client.Don’t expect to be given all the answers to life’s problems by some all-knowing life master.
Contrary to popular belief - a counselor’s job is not to give you advice. Counselors help guide clients toward solutions to whatever the issue is that is causing difficulty in their life. This is done by working with the client to discover the client’s strengths, along with teaching coping strategies and other techniques for improving the presenting issue(s). An individual might receive advice from a friend or family member, but a counselor is a highly trained professional who’s sole purpose is to assist clients. Having said that, most counselors don’t have all the answers! We have life difficulties, downfalls, and quirks just like everyone else. The difference is, we’ve been trained to deal with a variety of life issues and have experience in navigating those issues effectively.A counselor is not a “friend for hire.”
As a trained professional, counselors help individuals empower themselves to make decisions that will improve their functioning and life. While we may like a client and even enjoy their company, our job is not to hang out and be a pal. In fact, a counselor usually won’t even acknowledge they know a client if seen outside their office. This is to protect the confidentiality of the client. Counseling is definitely a relationship, but there are professional boundaries that go along with it.You can come to counseling even if you aren’t “crazy.”
Counselors assist individuals with a wide range of issues, including both severe mental health concerns and basic life difficulties such as relationship or parenting frustration, grief, navigating life choices, and more. According to the American Counseling Association, “Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals” (ACA, 2019). This looks different for everyone and everyone has life difficulties at times. It takes a lot of strength and courage to be self-aware enough to know when you should seek help. It doesn’t make you crazy - just human.
Don’t believe everything you see on TV. Counseling is different for everyone. Finding a right counseling fit for you is essential to working through whatever difficulty it is you might be experiencing. If you have any questions or concerns about what a counseling session with me is like, please don’t hesitate to reach out or schedule an appointment today.
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