Benefits of counselling

Written By Nick Brandenburg

Are you facing challenges with any of the following?

  • Anxiety

  • Grief

  • Depression

  • Relationships

  • Motivation

  • Life transitions

  • Unwanted habits

Chatting things through with a counsellor is a great way to overcome these problems so that you can live the life you deserve. Having a safe and non-judgemental space to open up and express your feelings can be life changing. A qualified counsellor is equipped with proven strategies to help you overcome problems and achieve your goals. Here are some of the benefits of seeing a counsellor:

 

Gain clarity

Sometimes when facing a challenge or a stuck point, we are so close to it that we can feel confused about what to do next. We need a different point of view. Talking it out is a proven way to untangle these confused feelings and gain clarity on the issue. Once you are clear about a problem you can take steps to address it. Counselling can also help you to gain clarity on your values - what you stand for as a person - and what your goals are.

 

Expressing feelings and being validated

Some people don’t have a problem expressing their emotions, it just comes naturally to them. Other people tend to bottle them up and hope that they will go away. You might have realised by now that when feelings get bottled up they don’t go anywhere. Talking about your feelings in a safe and non-judgemental space with a trained professional is a great way to process them so that they don’t hang around creating problems. Being listened to and understood by somebody who is present for you can provide some much needed validation.

 

Learning valuable skills

A counsellor receives training in evidence-based strategies for overcoming common problems. Chatting to a counsellor and receiving the right strategy can save a lot of wasted time. They can provide targeted strategies from a number of approaches, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and internal family systems therapy (IFS). Once you have learned these skills, you will have more resources available to you to handle future difficulties. Seeing a counsellor also provides accountability. Without some accountability it can be easy to lose motivation and fall back into old habits.

 

Non-judgemental space

A counsellor is there to work with you for your benefit. They provide a non-judgemental space where you can be authentic about things in a way that might be difficult to do with people you are close to. You don’t have to worry about misunderstanding, judgement or repercussions from people you will continue to see regularly in your daily life.

 

Personal development

People think of seeing a counsellor when facing difficult circumstances, but a counsellor can also be a valuable resource for personal development and increasing self-awareness. Chatting with a counsellor can help you to gain a better understanding of yourself, your patterns, your values and goals. The insights and increased self-awareness gained from counselling can help to improve the quality of your life well into the future.

 

Improved mental health

Research has clearly shown that engaging in therapy is a great way to improve your mental health. People who seek out therapy with qualified professionals experience lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression. The insights, understanding, self-awareness and skills learned during therapy can lead to a happier and more fulfilled life. In short, you can be your best self, achieve your goals and have more fulfilling relationships with the people in your life.

 

So there you have it, don’t underestimate the power of talking things out with a qualified counsellor.

Nick Brandenburg