Why Should I See a Counsellor?
I’ve recommended tons of people to different counsellors around Saskatoon over the years. But the common objection I hear in response is, “Why? How could that help?”
I must admit—I’m only ‘slightly’ biased... but please hear me out.
Before I was a counsellor, I was a client. I’ve sat in the other chair, being asked all the deeply personal questions, crying all the tears, and trusting the inner workings of my life into the hands of a complete stranger. I get it—counselling can be uncomfortable and weird, and sometimes you might not feel connected with your therapist or their approach.
I certainly didn’t connect with the first counsellor I met. It took me a while to find someone that I trusted and had an approach that seemed right for me. I Googled the counsellors near me, read some reviews, called and emailed them, and sat down with a few different counsellors before I decided who I wanted to continue meeting with for the long haul.
Once I found someone with an approach that resonated with my values and how my mind worked, it seemed like the transformation in my life happened naturally. It wasn’t a forced thing. I looked forward to meeting with them each month—not because I had tons of problems I needed help with, but because they were a stable and caring presence I enjoyed sharing my life with.
5 Reasons You Should See a Counsellor
As you can probably tell from my story, seeing a counsellor is a personal decision that depends on your unique circumstances and needs. So, I don’t have an exhaustive checklist of “reasons you should see a counsellor,” but I did want to share a few:
Mental Health “Maintenance”: Wait… what? This might sound strange to some of you, but I am convinced that this should be the number one reason to see a counsellor. Life takes its toll on our body and soul, and we need to be proactive in caring for ourselves. Just the same as it’s recommended that we see doctors, dentists, optometrists, etc. on a regular basis, we should also see counsellors on a regular basis to care for our mental health. This was my primary reason for seeing a counsellor—and it was so great to have a good relationship with my counsellor when life inevitably through me a curve ball and I needed someone to help me through it.
Mental Health Concerns: This is the reason most people think of seeing a counsellor—and it is a very good reason. The current Canadian stats say that 1 in 5 people experience mental illness every year, and 50% of Canadians will experience mental illness by the age of 40. Counselling can provide support and strategies for managing mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more. As well, a counsellor can help you better understand your condition and use therapy to reduce (or possibly even eliminate) your symptoms.
Stress and Coping: You don’t need to be experiencing mental illness to be mentally unwell. Life can be stressful at times, our body and soul can get run down, and our mental health can begin to decline. Counsellors can help you develop effective ways to manage stress and build resilience.
Relationship Issues: I’ll try not to throw my wife under the bus here, but… relationships are hard! We’ve been so grateful for the wise and compassionate people that have journeyed with us through the ups and downs and helped us work through conflict when needed. Whether it's conflicts with a partner, family member, friend, or coworker, counselling can help you navigate and improve your relationships.
Self-Exploration: As I’ve already said, counselling is not just for addressing problems. It can also be a space for self-discovery and personal growth. Exploring your thoughts, feelings, values, motivations, fears, etc. can lead to greater self-awareness and unlock the barriers that are holding back your personal development.
It’s Your Own Healing Journey
The last thing I want to remind you is to extend grace to yourself when considering these kinds of decisions. Making the decision to start seeing a counsellor, especially in times of crisis, can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of counselling options available and it’s hard to decide who to talk to. If you are interested in exploring whether counselling is a good option for you, or if you want help finding a counsellor (I have no issue referring people to other counsellors I trust), feel free to give me a call or an email.
