There are many benefits of counseling, and it can do wonders for you or a loved one. See why you should improve your mental health and relationships through it.
Nearly half of 1,000 people polled in a survey claimed that they, or someone in their household, had visited a mental health professional within the year, proving that much progress has been made in the field.
The advantages of talking extend far beyond a single session.
Therapy, supplemented with good exercise, diet, and persistent work, can help turn you into the well-rounded individual you strive to be.
The benefits of counseling can include anything from a clearer, more focused headspace, to better interactions with family, friends, and coworkers. It leaves patients feeling more well-rounded; freer from guilt or the shackles of trauma; and more positive than when they started.
An unbiased, objective peek into your life could be just what you need to get things put in perspective. We’ll lay out the 10 surprising ways counseling can help you or your loved ones heal.
What Are the Benefits of Counseling?
Great question – and we bet you know some of the answers already.
The advantages of having someone help guide you through the ever-changing world of life, work, and love are huge. No longer is therapy seen as something that only the weak do.
Therapy is utilized and embraced by a number of successful people, some of that success actually being attributed to a long history of counseling.
It’s like having an extra helper carry in the groceries with you. You can do it by yourself in two or three trips, but a counselor grabs a couple bags and helps you make it one smooth trip. They’ll probably even help you unload the bags, observing what’s inside.
If you’ve ever considered therapy before, now’s your time to make moves. Options are getting broader with the rise of technology, too. Some companies like Sam Nabil Counseling Services are even offering online therapy so you can avoid traveling as well as the stigma attached with clinical diagnoses (although the stigma is dying).
From relationship challenges (familial or otherwise), to difficult life changes, to everyday anxiety issues, counseling can and will help you.
Here are just ten ways it can aid in improving your overall health.
1. Ability for Self-Reflection
Therapy allows for the opportunity to reflect inwards in humbling ways. Not many people are willing to look inside themselves for mistakes or ways to improve.
The brave souls who have decided to try their hand at therapy are stronger than the average. They are willing to right their wrongs, make amends, and improve their lives and the lives of those around them through modest living.
2. An Alternative to Medication
Therapy can be used as a transition to removing oneself from medication or avoiding it altogether.
Therapy in the long-haul is a great way to avoid the pitfalls of depression and anxiety. A clear conversation could have the same calming effects as a pill, but without the complications that can arise from the use of medication.
3. Not Just Mental, but Physical
The benefits of counseling are not just in your head.
Tension-causing headaches, stress-inducing ulcers – and that’s just naming two – are direct results of leaving feelings locked inside until they manifest in other ways. If it’s gotten that far, you’ll see that a few sessions will leave your head clearer, and less ache-y, too.
4. No More Repressing
As discussed, the repression of toxic issues is bad for not just your mental wellbeing, but your physical one, too.
Repressed issues cultivate themselves in ways you may not realize. You may find yourself being angry at the wrong people, having trouble connecting with yourself and/or loved ones, and other isolating feelings.
Getting it all off your chest to a confidential source is just one of the many obvious benefits of counseling.
5. A Friendly Ear
At the very least, the intimate relationship that flourishes between you and your counselor will provide salvation. Sometimes an honest, objective listener is the difference between a bad day and a good one.
6. Improves Relationships
Couples counseling is a wonderful way to get unbiased opinions, and sometimes that’s just what we need to rejuvenate passion.
Signing up for counseling is the hardest part. Once you and your partner are committed to that, the rest is healing and informing. The opportunity to calmly and clearly see both you and your partner’s wishes for your love is a unique one.
Look forward to improved communication and renewed intimacy, at the least.
7. Set Important Goals
Talking out your life goals and wishes to a professional is one solid way to gather ideas and direction from legitimate sources.
Life coaches are like walking, talking mirrors. They know the answer is within you, and they guide you to finding it.
8. Have Some Structure
At the very least, counseling leaves you balanced and with a solid direction in mind. Keeping up with weekly or biweekly appointments, practicing exercises in your off-time, and living a more meditative lifestyle will bring structure to your everyday existence.
9. Make Transitions Smoothly
Although therapy does wonders in the long-haul, temporarily using this method during rough transitions – new job, moving, divorce, separations – is like using crutches for a few weeks after a surgery.
Once you’re able to stand on your own two feet again, you may be done with therapy (for now.) Or you may find that the benefits of counseling have crossed over into your daily life, and you stick with it!
10. Breathe a Little
An hour spent in a quiet, peaceful room, or a half-hour online with a sturdy but warm counselor, is, if anything, a chance to breathe a little. (Or a lot.)
We all get wrapped up in our everyday lives. But think of it like this: you know how when planes drop oxygen masks from the ceiling, the flight attendants tell you to put yours on first, before helping others?
Counseling is like that. Breathe first. Take care of yourself first.
And then tackle the day and kick butt helping others.
Try It Out
Thanks for making it this far. Are you convinced yet?
From a therapist to a couples counselor, to a life coach, counseling includes a number of various methods to suit your lifestyle and your goals. There is no one process when it comes to this style of healing or one type of doctor.
Each person will be different, so you may have to experiment with a few before you find your one – but when you do, the intimate conversation and problem-solving is sure to amaze.
We know the importance of mental and physical well-being, and we’re excited to explore as many options as possible to achieve the optimum healthiness we can. We hope you’ll join us on this journey of self-improvement.
We’re right here if you want to talk to us before you talk to your new therapist!