Different people find counseling helpful in different ways. These are some of the ways in which counseling can be helpful:
For many individuals, distress is caused by certain patterns of thinking, behaving, and coping. These patterns may have been helpful at some point in the past but eventually lead to distress in the present. Counseling can be helpful in identifying these patterns and learning how to develop new coping strategies.
Counseling provides a safe, supportive environment in which you can share your thoughts and feelings, as well as receive an objective point of view.
Counseling is a place in which you can learn numerous coping strategies to manage the difficult parts of life.
What Should I Expect During the First Session?
Before your first session, your counselor will have you complete a set of paperwork that will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
At the start of the session, your counselor will discuss confidentiality and what to expect during the session.
Your counselor will ask you a number of questions related to your concerns and what brought you in for counseling, such as symptoms you are experiencing, how long your concerns have been occurring, the impact of your concerns on your functioning, and your history and background.
After gathering all of the necessary information, your counselor will provide a recommendation as to what they believe the best options are for you. This could include continuing to meet with the current therapist for regular counseling, or being referred to a different therapist in the community. The latter could occur if your therapist believes that you would be better served by a therapist with more resources and/or training and experiences based on your presenting concerns.
If your counselor determines that they would be able to continue seeing you, they will discuss with you whether the relationship seems to be a good fit for you and if you would like to continue meeting with that person. This is a collaborative decision.
How Long Will I Need to Go to Counseling?
There is no required length of time for counseling. The length of time that counseling will take to address your concerns depends on a number of factors, including the nature of you presenting issue, how long you have been dealing with your concerns, and the time you spend outside of session working on the things that are discussed during your counseling sessions.
How Often Will I Need to Go to Counseling?
Most individuals attend counseling either once a week, or once every other week, depending on the severity of the presenting concern, how long the problem has been occurring, and how quickly you would like to make progress. Your counselor may have a recommendation for what they think may be most helpful for you, but it is ultimately your decision how often you attend counseling.
What If I Don't Find Counseling Helpful?
We strongly recommend that you talk to your counselor openly if you are not finding counseling to be helpful. Many times, this can be caused by miscommunication and misunderstandings that can be easily worked through if your therapist is aware of the problem. If you speak with your therapist and the problem cannot be addressed, your therapist will provide you with information for referrals.