Counselor
While most of us never anticipate needing psychological or emotional counseling over the course of our lives, chances are the majority of people will experience a tragedy or other life even that may precipitate the need to consult a professional counselor for advice and/or guidance. In fact, a large percentage of U.S. citizens seek out and utilize the services of a professional counselor each year, for a variety of reasons. And despite the social stigma many still associate with mental health issues; there is no shame in seeking the help of a qualified professional if you feel as though you are in need of their services.
In reality, neglecting your psychological and/or emotional health, even in the short term, can lead to far more extreme, severe, and difficult to treat problems in the future. And while more and more people are turning to prescription drugs to treat their mental health issues, the general consensus is that even if these pharmaceutical measures are effective, the degree of their effectiveness can be increased exponentially when incorporated with the services of a professional counselor. In fact, some mental health professionals believe that the effectiveness of regularly seeing a certified counselor can actually rival that of taking prescription drugs in some cases. And this effectiveness is achieved without the potential for serious side effects. Of course, even the best trained and most efficient counselor cannot guarantee results in all cases and in all situations; however, if you are have recently been dealt a severe emotional or mental blow, or if you are concerned about your overall emotional wellbeing, seeking out the services of a reputable counselor may be a great first step to finding relief.
While many people envision counselors as existing purely for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD or other forms of psychological disorders, the fact of the matter is that there are many different types of counselors. Some of the most common types include marriage counselors, anger management counselors, substance abuse counselors, and youth counselors. Some of these counselors work in private practices, and some work for different levels of government. In fact, counselors are integral in both the criminal justice system and family court, and are utilized in a variety of ways. For example, many people convicted of drug-related crimes are ordered to see a substance abuse counselor as part of their sentence; or if someone is convicted of domestic violence or other violent crime, they may be ordered to see an anger management counselor. Alternately, in the family court, couples considering a divorce may be referred to couples counseling or perhaps a child who has been the victim of some form of abuse or neglect will be assigned to a youth counselor to ensure that they get the emotional and psychological support that they need.
Perhaps because of counseling’s ties to the court system, many people still view visiting a counselor as form of punishment. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, counselors are so integrally tied to the court system so that they can provide rehabilitation and emotional resources for criminals and victims alike, not as an effort to add dimension or depth to a punishment. And as many people who have sought the services of a counselor can attest, the time spent in honest conversation with a professional counselor is never wasted. In fact, many people who begin counseling with reluctance soon begin to see it as one of the highpoints of their days. In a society that applauds self-sufficiency and the ability of one to put forth a stoic façade, many people feel compelled to keep their true thoughts and feelings bottled up inside of themselves. In fact, most of us do this without even realizing it. For this reason, many people are pleasantly surprised with the sense of relief that they feel after consulting a counselor. It is a liberating feeling to be able to get the weight of the world off of your chest, and to do it without fear of being condemned or even judged.
In fact, one of the biggest selling points of seeing a professional counselor is realizing that everything you say to them will be in total confidence. Unlike talking to a friend or family member (who may spill the beans, despite their best intentions), talking to most counselors is legally confidential. In most cases, during your initial visit with your counselor, you will fill out a variety of documents and forms. One of these forms will most likely be called a Confidentiality Agreement. Keep in mind, even without these documents; a counselor is ethically obligated to listen to you in confidence. However, if you admit to committing a serious crime (such as rape or murder) or are clearly a threat to yourself or others, your counselor may be legally obligated to report you. This is especially true when referring to school counselors. In most areas, they are what are referred to as ‘mandated reporters.’ In addition to school counselors, other groups that are generally mandated reporters include: teachers and school administrators, doctors, police officers and other first responders, nurses and really any person in a position of authority and trust.
Many people choose not to seek the services of a professional counselor because they feel such services are too cost prohibitive. However, this is not necessarily true. More and more group health insurance companies are recognizing the need for comprehensive mental health coverage as well as coverage for physical health. For this reason, many counseling services are now covered by insurance. One of the big contributing factors of this trend is the fact that people who are mentally healthy tend to be physically healthier than their mentally distressed counterparts. It is actually more cost effective for insurance companies to make sure that the people they insure have access to mental health services, such as the services of a certified counselor.
Of course, while more and more insurance companies are covering the costs of seeing a professional counselor, not all of them do. Additionally, millions of Americans are uninsured. That, however, does not mean that un or under insured people cannot seek the services of a professional counselor. Indeed, more and more counselors are getting involved with community outreach programs, and are offering their services for free or nearly free to low-income or uninsured persons in their community. If you feel as though you are in need of a professional counselor, but have avoided seeking one out because you thought you couldn’t afford them, you may want to reevaluate your stance. One of the easiest ways to find out whether or not free or inexpensive counseling services are available in your area is to simple call your local Health and Human Services office, or even your local Unemployment Office. They can generally provide you with all of the information you need to get on your way to incorporating the services of a certified counselor into your mental health regimen.
Remember, admitting that you may need help and seeking out the services of a professional counselor is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. And you are hurting yourself and those around you if you neglect your mental health. So, don’t be afraid to take that first step. Do a simple internet search of counselors in your area; you may just find one that meets your needs.
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