The dictionary describes counseling as provision of advice or guidance in decision-making, in particularly in emotionally significant situations.
Patients explore and understand their worlds and so discover better ways of thinking and living. A common factor in most counseling situations is that the patient is demoralized, distressed or otherwise in a negative state of mind about something.
- It offers a way to gain perspective on your behaviour, emotions and relationships.
- It provides a means to express your feelings and identify patterns of thinking.
- It alleviates anxiety, depression and anger in their many forms.
- It helps develop communication skills for dealing with conflict and frustration.
- It is a means for addressing pain, working through loss and adding meaning to your life.
Results of counseling can include:
- Insight and understanding of oneself, with greater self-awareness.
- Changing of one’s beliefs and mental models.
- Increased acceptance and appreciation of oneself.
- Increased emotional intelligence.
- Increased ability to control oneself and one’s urges.
- Development of skills and abilities that require self-management.
- Improved motivation towards actions that are good for one’s self.
- Understanding of others and why they act as they do.
- Increased appreciation and care for others.
- Improvement in relationships with others.
- Changing of relationship with family, friends and others.
- Making amends for past negative actions.
If you are thinking about whether counseling could be helpful to you, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do you ever feel really sad, frustrated, or lonely?
- Do you feel especially angry, annoyed, or out-of-control?
- Do you feel very anxious, worried, or guilty?
- Have you experienced some major problems at home, at school, in your marriage, family or in your neighbourhood?
- Have you noticed some changes in the way you sleep, eat, or think and feel about life?
- Is it hard for you to talk about these feelings with your family or friends?
- Are these feelings having a bad effect on your life-are they making your schoolwork, work place and your relationships with family and friends difficult?
If you have answered yes to some of these questions take the time to help heal yourself and live free.