The counselors you may see are competent in a variety of evidence-based therapy skills such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, behavioral modification, and motivational interviewing among others. These are some of the tools the counselors may use to assist you as you reach your goals. All of these tools or techniques will be used with your consent and take place in a therapeutic and non-judgmental relationship.
The counselors are also able to assist individuals with a large variety of presenting problems. Some of these difficulties are very common, like depression, anxiety, phobias, adjustment to life and relationship stressors, grief reactions, and dealing with traumatic events to include PTSD. Other problems that require significant lifestyle changes like chronic pain, diabetes, cardiac or pulmonary conditions, and irritable bowel syndrome may be helped through counseling. Individual reactions to or dealing with infertility, cancer, or chronic diseases are also areas that can be helped with individual counseling.
Counseling Risks and Benefits: Seeking new solutions, exploring unpleasant events, and making changes can lead to discomfort and uncomfortable feelings, such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness and helplessness. Attempting to resolve issues that brought you to therapy in the first place, such as with relationships may result in changes that were not originally intended. Participating in therapy may result in decisions about changing behaviors, employment, substance use, schooling, housing, or relationships. Sometimes a decision that is positive for one family member is viewed negatively by another family member. There is no guarantee that counseling will yield positive or intended results. Using mental health insurance may be detrimental to you in obtaining future health, disability or life insurance policies.
However, therapy often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, increased skills for managing stress and resolutions to specific problems. Psychotherapy requires your active involvement, honesty and openness. It is important to your counselor that each client is served well and appropriately. If your counselor does not feel they have the expertise needed in the client’s specific area of concern and it appears that another counselor or mental health professional would serve the client better in terms of meeting her/his treatment goals, then the client will be provided with the appropriate referrals.
Counseling is a growth process that moves through various stages. The first 2-3 sessions will involve a comprehensive evaluation, clarification of specific goals and development of a treatment plan. During the evaluation, it is important to discuss things openly and honestly. You should evaluate this information and make your own assessment about whether you feel comfortable continuing with your therapist. Goals may be reached through referrals to outside professionals who specialize in that particular service. Treatment will conclude when your goals are reached. This should be determined through an open, honest agreement among all individuals involved, including your counselor except in the event you determine to discontinue counseling. If you have questions about treatment or procedures, you should discuss them whenever they arise. If doubts persist, your therapist can assist with contacting another mental health professional for a second opinion.