Why We Need Counseling

Counseling has enjoyed an acceptance within the last few years; this generation of people seem to understand its value more than their parents or grandparents did. There are many resources available today through work and many churches. Support groups, Bible studies, men's and women's groups abound that are open to anyone, not just church members or attenders.

However, to many individuals there is still a stigma surrounding the need to obtain emotional help. I remember thinking I needed to work harder at being happy. But it didn't work since I didn't have objectivity.

In the case of individual counseling there is often a 'last straw' that has to occur that brings them in. They aren't enjoying life as much as they used to or they have experienced a traumatic event they simply can't work through alone. Talking to friends and/or family doesn't satisfy since there's always the suspicion that the advice given is skewed in some way.

Marital counseling often isn't sought until the relationship has been shaken often enough to threaten the course of the entire marriage. By then one of the spouses is so fed up the communication is angry or even non-existent. Friends and family take sides and it gets messy to be sure. Interaction can turn into a disagreement over who said what, when, and the motive behind saying it.

That's why counseling is important. Counselors are trained to be objective listeners. There is no "I'm-your-best-friend-and-you-don't-see-it-but-I-do-so-do-what-I-say" kind of relationship.

Counseling gives folks the chance to vent safely, to think out loud without being judged. The counselor's goal is to provide stability and clear thinking until the client can do it solo. The therapist won't take sides against one spouse while supporting the other blindly; the ultimate goal is to bring the couple together in a manner that is equally satisfying.

The trained counselor also brings a sense of acceptance to the session. Hurt individuals feel rejection as they experience life; counselors welcome your hurts, accept your feelings, and guide you toward health and healing.

Therapy today isn't like it's depicted in movies and comic strips. Rarely does talking about issues involve a leather couch and a wizened old man taking notes on a steno pad. There is laughter and tears along with the deep issues the sessions address.

Of special importance is the desire to work together toward putting life in perspective. If we could fix it ourselves we'd have done it already.

That's why we need the help of a trained counselor.