I don’t need counselling – do I…?

Have you ever wondered if you need counselling? Perhaps you're facing hurdles or navigating a crisis, or maybe you're convinced that everything is fine. Either way, this is a good time to reframe our view of counselling.

Rather than taking a deficit-oriented approach, let's ask: "Could I benefit from counselling?" This shift emphasizes positive growth and acknowledges that it is commendable to strive for self-improvement. We invest in professional development, sports, and healthy habits to enhance our lives. Why not prioritize our emotional wellbeing? Counselling isn't just for those in crisis; it's for anyone seeking personal growth.

Let’s look at some of the benefits:

🌱 You might think: "I can handle it alone" or "It's not that bad." But suppressing issues can lead to overwhelm, anxiety, and depression. Addressing small problems early prevents bigger ones from emerging.

🌱 As David McRaney says: "You are unaware of how unaware you are." A trained counsellor can help raise your self-awareness, enabling better emotion management, more effective solutions, and improved relationships.

🌱 While friends and family can offer support, relying heavily on them can strain relationships. A counsellor provides empathetic and constructive guidance without judgment.

🌱 Trained in various psychotherapeutic approaches, counsellors empower you with skills and strategies to tackle challenges.

🌱 Our education system prioritizes mathematical and linguistic intelligence; emotional intelligence (EQ), which, according to Daniel Goleman encompasses self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, is often neglected. Counsellors can help us raise our EQ. This leads to benefits for ourselves, our relationships, families, workplaces and society as a whole!

Investing in counselling demonstrates strength, proactivity, and resourcefulness. You're not flawed or broken; you're taking control of your life. So, consider counselling as a positive step toward social, emotional, and mental growth. You're not alone in this journey.

Sources:

- David McRaney, "You Are Not So Smart"

- Daniel Goleman, "Emotional Intelligence"