Counseling is only for “crazy people” or people with “problems”.
Foremost among the myths regarding counseling is that it is only used to treat mental illness. Counseling aims at facilitating personal and interpersonal growth. As such, people in a variety of circumstances may find the services of a counselor helpful. These might include when a person or couple is at a turning point in their life (e.g. preparing for marriage), or when a person is considering making a significant change in their career, relationship, or priorities in general. Additional reasons people request counseling services include, but are not limited to seeking help with depression, anxiety, mood fluctuations, uncontrollable fears, addiction, trauma related stress, extended bereavement, eating disorders, marital problems, behavioral problems, parenting or co-parenting, blended families, sexual difficulties, self-esteem, communication, and many other potential life stressors. In general, a counselor works to provide assistance in evaluating people’s strengths and abilities as well as identifying any barriers or misunderstandings that could potentially prevent one from pursuing or achieving their dreams.
Counseling is a last resort.
Imagine a couple addressing a serious concern six months prior to instead of six months after their marriage. In general, the early a problem is addressed the better the outcome, and less severe the consequences. Premarital counseling is an example of why counseling need not be a last resort.
Some people put off their problems until it is seemingly impossible to resolve them. On some occasions, a couple will enter therapy as a last attempt to “save their marriage” from the brink of divorce. This attitude often prevents couples from getting early counseling interventions that could better help identify and mediate their issues. Needless to say, it is not necessary to wait this long before entering therapy. A wise and experienced therapist may be able to help a couple prioritize and address their concerns before they become a stumbling block to a couple’s progression.
A therapist’s role is to give “advice.”
Another misconception about counseling is that it is a process in which the client tells what the problem is, and the counselor tells the client what to do. A therapist works to help facilitate change, not direct it. Many therapists see this process as a collaborative partnership, one in which the counselor and client(s) work as a team to fully explore the nature of the problem, desired goals, addressing change, and developing a plan that will lead to successful outcomes. Ultimately, however, the decisions for how therapy progresses reside with the client.
My neighbor/friend/community member will find out that I was fired from my job and my divorce.
Mental health professionals are required by law to keep information confidential except in cases of a life threatening emergency (e.g. suicide, child abuse, etc.). If your therapist happens to see you in a public setting, they will not acknowledge you unless they have your consent. So rest assured your identity as a client and what you talk about will be kept private.
