Many people are confused about what counseling can do for them. They feel like whatever they are going through is something they have to figure out alone. Perhaps they’re even worried about how long it will take – most of us don’t have years and years to figure things out. Some worry that going to a counselor means admitting you’re mentally ill or somehow broken.Counseling is an experienced point of view. Figuring things out on our own is healthy and actually the goal of counselors. Still, sometimes it helps to get another point of view. Sometimes being so close or so worried about a problem makes it hard to see what is working. Counseling can help you make sense of what is happening and identify what changes are working and what changes are not.
Counseling doesn’t take years. Most progress is usually made in less than eight sessions. Some take more, some take much less. Counseling isn’t like other professional relationships. Unlike your banker, your telephone company and your grocery store, counseling doesn’t expect a long term relationship. Moving on is healthy. Some clients return for help, and that’s OK too.
Counseling is strengths based. Most people come to counselors because there is something they wish was different in their lives. Some changes have to do with relationships, how they feel, how they behave, coping with change, or making a decision. Counseling builds on what you’ve already done and assumes that with some coaching, education, and maximizing the strengths you already have – you can make the changes you want.
J. Kipp Lanning, MS
Mental Health Counseling
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J. Kipp Lanning, LIMHP
