How do I know if I need counseling?

Few people have an instant realization that they would benefit from sitting down with a counselor. Most of the people we help go back and forth for a long time before picking up the phone to make an initial appointment with us.

If you’re going back and forth, rest assured that’s normal. It does take courage to make the decision to seek help. But if you’re thinking that you may benefit from counseling, it’s a sign that you probably would.

As professional counselors, our goal is to help you better understand yourself and how you interact with other people, so you can actually take control of your life, be the person you want to be, and achieve the goals that are in your heart. We don’t have a standard list of answers or solutions, because every person is unique. We listen carefully and ask questions to learn more about you. We’ll offer suggestions, and after you try them, we’ll talk about how they worked.

You see, counseling’s role isn’t to “fix” you. It’s to help you better understand yourself and make the most of who you want to be. Many people reach out to us because their lives seem to lack meaning, they don’t feel worthwhile, they find some challenges overwhelming, or they just don’t seem to feel joy from their relationships or activities. A common phrase we hear is “I just feel stuck.” The people who say that know there is something better out there, but they don’t know how to move in that direction.

One of the most important elements of counseling is confidentiality. A professional counselor is required to keep his or her conversations with you private (with a few legal exceptions, which we’ll explain to you). That means you can share your innermost thoughts without fear that anyone else will hear them. You can tell a professional counselor things you wouldn’t even feel comfortable telling your closest friend, and you don’t have to worry that your counselor will judge you or view you as a bad person.

Ultimately, counseling’s success depends upon your commitment to the process. If you’re completely honest and are open to ideas and change, you’ll gain the greatest benefits. We are here to help you.

List of common questions can be found here.