Have you recently thought to yourself – do I need counselling?
Joyce Breasure, past president of the American Counseling Association and a professional counselor, recommends counselling when you:
Spend 5 out of 7 days feeling unhappy- Regularly cannot sleep at night
- Are taking care of a parent or a child and the idea crosses your mind that you may want to hit that person
- Place an elder in a nursing home or in alternative care
- Have lost someone or something (such as a job)
- Have a chronic or acute medical illness
- Can no longer prioritize what is most important in your life
- Feel that you can no longer manage your stress
When to talk to a counsellor
The American Counseling Association states that ‘professional counselors offer help in addressing many situations that cause emotional stress, including, but not limited to:
- anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders
- family and relationship issues
- substance abuse and other addictions
- sexual abuse and domestic violence
- eating disorders
- career change and job stress
- social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness
- adopting to life transitions
- the death of a loved one’
Do I need counselling?
The following questions can also be helpful in determining if you should seek counselling –
- Do I feel as if I am in crisis?
- Am I currently feeling distress?
- Am I having trouble dealing with certain emotions or my current situation?
- Do I need help to find or access the right services to assist me?
- Do I need a safe or confidential place to talk about my situation or feelings?
If you are answering ‘yes’ to the above questions or if you are in any doubt about whether you should attend counselling services, you are welcome to contact us and speak to one of our support team members.
Article Title: Do I need counselling? Article By: Vision Counselling and Psychology, Perth Western Australia Web Address: www.visioncounselling.com.au Published: 09/04/2014 Image Reference: Dollar Photo Club
