You can't make someone go to counselling...

by Jenna Robinson

Oh but sometimes I wish you could. Thankfully over the last few years I have come across people who have decided to seek help through counselling, for me I couldn’t be happier. Although I wished that many of those I have known were not in a state of distress or suffering from prolonged negative thoughts; I am pleased that they have had the courage to seek help.

Many people though still do not see the benefits, unfortunately counselling still carries stigma, many people feel that going to counselling means admitting that there is something wrong with them. Many simply cannot find the time or will not make the time for counselling and there are also some that have grown up in a generation where you do not talk about your problems but instead hold a stiff upper lip and simply get on with the cards you have been dealt.

Those that I have known who have undergone counselling, although sceptical at first have valued and appreciated the help they have received. More importantly they have found strength in themselves and in doing so their lives have changed. Counselling enables the client to build a greater sense of self worth, they begin to like and value themselves more and in turn they begin to find new respect for those around them and the world that they live in. However, this is not an easy journey - counselling can sometimes feel like it is making things worse before they get better. It can bring up painful memories and stir emotions that you didn’t know existed. It forces you to really look at who you are and who you want to be (if you let it) and great changes both internally and externally may begin to happen. In my opinion though, it is a journey worth taking in order to knock down that brick wall that is either obstructing your vision or stopping you from moving at all. But you can’t force someone to take the trip and no matter how encouraging you are about what can be achieved from it sometimes for some people it is simply not a plausible option.

So what can we do for those people, those who find the idea of talking to a counsellor terrifying, those who think they will be labelled “mad” or “crazy” or those who were brought up by being told not to air their dirty laundry. There are a few alternatives:

Talk to a friend, someone you feel you can trust, they won’t be a trained professional but they will hopefully listen and provide understanding and comfort without judgement. It’s great if you do have friends you can confide in and trust, someone that you would also listen to if they needed help. Just remember though that a friend may have a biased opinion based on their relationship with you.

Online forums/chats and information, there are many sites out there (like this one) that offer great support. There are websites offering discussion forums where you can talk to people going through similar problems. There are information resources on all sorts of mental health conditions and there is even online counselling if you feel that face to face is just too much.

There are also now a wealth of self help books that can help someone recognise what they may be going through emotionally and psychologically and then provide next steps to alleviating some of the symptoms. These books will not analyse you as an individual to discover why problems have arisen in the first place but they will provide coping strategies and advice on how to relieve stress and anxiety. They will also encourage you to look at yourself and your life and provide ways of pulling out the positive qualities and the possibilities for the future. Just remember that these books are more general than personal counselling but you will discover advice and guidance that rings true for you that you can build on.

So, even if I can’t force someone to go to counselling to discover what true potential they really have, I would at least like to encourage those who are struggling emotionally or psychologically to draw on the resources that work for them, those that make them feel comfortable and encourages them to continue to find the happiness they deserve.

Comments

I think counselling is sometimes viewed as infantalising, making people less resourceful and willing to confront their own problems. At least that is the way I see it. Someone who has to turn to a counsellor every time they get into difficulty is being deprived of a chance to make their own way through life, with the wider consequences to society, (that is they will be paralysed by indecision). Additionally, there is an element of commercial interest in self help and counselling/therapy which conflicts with the client's best interests. That said, it is not a black-and-white case, and counsellors can be of great benefit to people. I suspect that your blog is meant to be provocative and discursive, and that you do not actually believe that counselling could be a panacea for all ills.
That is so not what counselling is all about! Far from being about creating dependency in people, it's about empowering them by giving them the tools to live a responsible and fulfilling life. As for there being an element of commercial interest in counselling/therapy, believe it or not, most counsellors are far from wealthy. We do need to keep a roof over our heads, yes, but if we were motivated primarily by money, we'd have chosen a different career. Most of us are genuinely motivated by the desire to help people to fulfil their potential - that's where the rewards are. We do have an ethical code which prohibits us from giving clients more sessions than the client wants or needs. If it's not benefiting the client, we shouldn't be doing it. It is true that counselling doesn't work for everyone; the client has to be ready to change, and the counselling relationship has to provide the conditions in which the client can grow and flourish. Counselling isn't something that is 'done to' the client; it is a relational process in which both counsellor and client participate.
Hi there to every body, it's my first pay a visit of this blog; this website consisxts of awesome and really good material foor visitors. Feel free to surf to my website ... Ivory
Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol Also visit my blog :: minecraft
I have read so many articles or reviews about the blogger lovers but this piece of writing is genuinely a fastidious post, keep it up. Feel free to visit my web page; g
We stumbled over here by a different website and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to exploring your web page for a second time. My webpage ... minecraft (http://tinyurl.com/)

Great blog post, Jenna.

I agree that professional counselling can be of huge benefit (for the right client, with the right therapist, at the right time), but that many people are put off or are fearful of it. I think that sometimes goes to awareness. The idea of going to talk to a professional can seem a bit clinical, daunting and scary - something that goes on behind closed doors and in secret, because that's often how it's regarded in society.

Discussions like this go a long way to combat that perception, so thank you for broaching the subject! :)

Sarah Myles

What is your professional experience of counselling?
Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There's a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you my web page ... minecraft
hey there and thank you for your info – I've definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this site, since I experienced to reload the site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon. Feel free to surf to my homepage: web designing agency
Hi there, I have been training to be a counsellor for the past 3 years, will be qualified in 2. Jenna
Every weekend i used to pay a visit this web site, as i wish for enjoyment, for the reason that this this web site conations actually pleasant funny material too. My web-site ... gamefly
Superb blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I'm hoping to stsrt my own blog soon but I'm a little lost oon everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out therre that I'm completely overwhelmed .. Any recommendations? Cheers! My web blog :: Agustin
You can definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart. Have a look at my blog: Get the facts
What happens if a client develops mental health problems within the counselling relationship?
Hopefully this would be expressed and addressed during the sessions and then the counsellor may feel the client needs to be referred onto another specialist.
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann't imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks! My blog post minecraft
So, additional efforts have to be undertaken to develop the visiting page of your website. Each of the images on your web site should really have proper detailed titles and alt tags too. While it may take a little while for changes in design culture to filter out into the more remote regions of the UK, London because of its position as the capital city gets to see new concepts first, thanks to a plethora of exhibitions and shows dedicated to web design. my web site make a website for school
This article by Jenna Robinson is excellent and I will print it and leave it for my wife to see. She will not accept there is anything wrong with her and it is all my fault that she rants and is constantly nasty and always so negative. I think my only way is to see a Counsellor myself because there is a limit to how long I can stay sane because this has been going on for years. Thank you for such an enlightening and accurat article. Please regard this as anonymous.
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are incredible! Thanks! My homepage ... see page
Thank you I really appreciate your comment, good luck with everything - Jenna
My fiance is also a believer that a counselor wont work. She has depression and anxiety and has had a very bad experiences with other men including her own father. She dosent trust me with anything and even gets mad when i read certain news articles. I believe she has very deep issues that only talking to a counselor would help. The biggest problem is that one night she even said why should i go to a counselor to just get called stupid for thinking this way ( her counselor never called her stupid ) im trying to get her to make another appointment but she refuses. How can i get her to go?
If you want how to download minecraft free increase your familiarity only keep visiting this website and be updated with the newest news update posted here.
Hi there to every body, it's my first pay a visit of this blog; this website consists of awesome and really good material ffor visitors. Feel free to surf to my web blog ... Ivory
Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I'll just bookmark this blog. My web-site; minecraft
I have read a few excellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you put to make this kind of great informative site. Feel free to visit my blog ... london Web design
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann't imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks! My blog post; minecraft
We stumbled over here by a different website and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to exploring your web page for a second time. Also visit my blog :: minecraft (http://tinyurl.com/)
Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I'll just bookmark this blog. Also visit my webpage :: minecraft
Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol Here is my web-site minecraft
Thanks , I have just been looking for information approximately this topic for a long time and yours is the best I've discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure in regards to the source? Here is my page minecraft
Thanks , I have just been looking for information approximately this topic for a long time and yours is the best I've discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure in regards to the source? My blog - minecraft
Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There's a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you Feel free to visit my web page ... minecraft
Every weekend i used to pay a visit this web site, as i wish for enjoyment, for the reason that this this web site conations actually pleasant funny material too. My web blog - gamefly
I used to be suggested this blog by means of my cousin. I'm now not positive whether this submit is written by means of him as nobody else realize such exact about my problem. You are incredible! Thank you! Here is my blog; why not try here
I enjoy what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the fantastic works guys I've included you guys to blogroll. Check out my web site - website dev Agency
So, additional efforts have to be undertaken to develop the visiting page of your website. Each of the images on your web site should really have proper detailed titles and alt tags too. While it may take a little while for changes in design culture to filter out into the more remote regions of the UK, London because of its position as the capital city gets to see new concepts first, thanks to a plethora of exhibitions and shows dedicated to web design. Feel free to visit my web site; make a website for school
I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet viewers, its really really fastidious piece of writing on building up new web site. Look at my page - shoulder posture
I have read so many articles or reviews about the blogger lovers but this piece of writing is genuinely a fastidious post, keep it up. Here is my website: g
If you want how to download minecraft free increase your familiarity only keep visiting this website and be updated with the newest news update posted here.
Appreciation to my father who told me on the topic of this weblog, this blog is truly remarkable. Here is my blog web design company london
Kargosuz Kitap Siteleri Internetten Ucuz Kitap Al Look into my webpage Iddaa pazartesi maç sonuçları (bodogram.com)
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO? I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share. Many thanks! Feel free to surf to my web-site: coconut oil where
Supedb blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I'm hoping to start my own blog soon but I'm a little lost on everything. Would yyou suggest starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I'm completely overwhelmed .. Anny recommendations? Cheers! My blog post; Agustin
I have read a few excellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you put to make this kind of great informative site. Feel free to visit my site :: london Web design
Appreciation to my father who told me on the topic of this weblog, this blog is truly remarkable. Here is my blog post ... web design company london
Finally, got what I was looking for!! I’ve really enjoying every small bit of this. Ecstatic I stumbled into this post! and also I’ve bookmarked to look at unique information for your blog post. htown junk car buyer http://ow.ly/QIc450x1rlg
I used to be suggested this blog by means of my cousin. I'm now not positive whether this submit is written by means of him as nobody else realize such exact about my problem. You are incredible! Thank you! Look into my homepage: why not try here
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are incredible! Thanks! Feel free to surf to my web page - see page
You can definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart. Feel free to surf to my web-site Get the facts

Post new comment