The importance of counseling has never been more apparent than it is today. Therapists are conductors of change.
“I’m slowly learning that life is better lived when you don’t center it on what’s happening around you and center it on what’s happening inside you instead. Work on yourself and your inner peace and you’ll come to realize that not reacting to every little thing that bothers you is the first ingredient to living a happy and healthy life.” – Stevie Flood
With the new year upon us, often people reflect on any changes they want to make within themselves or with others. The new year brings a time of self-reflection and the drive to make positive and healthy changes in our physical, spiritual, and mental health. Therefore, many people choose to begin counseling as part of their healing journey. Licensed counselors are trained to aid individuals, couples, and families through many different mental health issues including to but not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma, or addiction. In addition, counselors can assist in building life skills, improving relationships, and creating positive and healthy boundaries.
The importance of counseling has never been more apparent than it is today. After the first year following the COVID-19 outbreak, the global prevalence of mental health ailments such as anxiety and depression increased by 25% percent according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) Counseling has been instrumental in supporting communities, individuals, and families. Counseling can be done in a myriad of ways including group, family, and individual counseling.
Many people who could benefit from counseling are under the impression that their problems are not significant or severe enough to seek help. This is not the case as mental health therapists often work with patients on life issues such as making important life decisions, decreasing work related stress, or maintaining healthy boundaries. Mental health therapists often work as part of a treatment team with other medical providers such as nurses and psychiatrists to provide the best care possible and to create individualized treatment plans. Counselors believe there is a connection between our physical, mental, and spiritual health; to improve one part all parts need to be enhanced.
With the expanding availability and access to telemedicine and telehealth services counseling is more accessible than ever. People who in the past have struggled to find time or are unable to travel to providers can now access counselors from all over the country. Using tools such as telehealth services, counselors are able to adapt therapy to fit their clients for a more tailored and personalized treatment plan. However, there are specific topic/issues that need to be addressed in-office, face to face. For example, most trauma work needs to be facilitated by a trauma specialist and in-office, face to face.
Counseling may look different depending on the type of therapy you are seeking. Many people choose to attend group counseling over individual counseling for its wide array of benefits. Group sessions allow attendees to relate and create connections with others who are experiencing similar issues. Counselors work to facilitate beneficial conversations that allow attendees to build a community. Group counseling is especially beneficial for those dealing with addiction, grief, and trauma. It can also be more cost effective than other treatment methods which allows a wider array of people to receive treatment.
The amount of people who find they have improved their lives by attending counseling continues to grow every year. Therapists are conductors of change. One client states the following about attending therapy at EnSpire Counseling & Wellness, “This place helped change my life.”
Written by:
Caroline Hughes (Marriage and Family Therapist Intern with EnSpire Counseling & Wellness)
Leah McMillan, DPA, LMFT, CFRC (Founder/Owner/Clinical Therapist of EnSpire Counseling & Wellness)
Reference:
COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. (2022, March 2). World Health Organization. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide