What is the truth about counseling? How does it even work? How can I be sure it will help me? I often hear these questions and others from clients. It can be hard to know if counseling can help you if you don’t know the answers to these questions or questions like these. To help with this, below you will find some truths or facts about therapy that I think anyone considering therapy should know.

The Truth About Counseling:

Therapy Doesn’t Fix You

People often think therapy is quick fix for issues they are going through, but what therapy and the therapist does is create the best conditions for healing and growth to occur and then guides you through the process. The brain is designed to help us heal and grow, but sometimes something gets in the way of our natural healing and growth process and we need help working through what is getting in the way and to develop the skills we need. Successful therapy does not mean your cured so much as that you have the resources you need to deal with the ups and downs of life.

Not All Therapy Is The Same

Many people think all therapy is the same and although many aspects will be similar such as the therapist doing an assessment of your needs and explaining the limits of confidentiality, the truth is that some therapy types focus more on talking about issues, while others utilize art or play to work through issues. Some approaches like EMDR are able to help you work through feelings, thoughts, and feelings in the body that do not require you to fully explain what happened which a lot of people like. It’s often important to consider what your preference for therapy is and what you might find the most helpful.

There’s No “Aha” Moment- Progress Happens Gradually

In the movies, counseling is often shown with this great “aha” moment. But there’s no big eureka moment in therapy as healing is a journey not a destination. It’s more like a series of smaller break throughs.

Counselors Do More Than Just Talk and Listen

Therapy is based on a relationship of trust where you feel able to be open about your story. The therapist is then able to provide guidance and suggestions to help you on your path to healing and living a healthy and happy life.

Therapists Don’t Tell You What To Do

Counselors will offer guidance or suggestions and if they are helpful they can become part of your tool kit of things that help you cope. If they are not helpful, the therapist can help you change the strategy to make it more helpful or you can discard it and together find another strategy that is more beneficial.

Counseling Does Not Have To Focus On Your Childhood Or Any Other Areas You Don’t Want To Address

You might end up talking about these areas if its relevant, but it’s not required. It definitely won’t be the only thing discussed. We now have researched evidence based approaches that are not just talking and are practical and proven to help with particular issues. For example, EMDR and Play Therapy are proven techniques that help with a variety of issues but are known for helping when it’s hard to put how you feel in words.

Online Therapy Works Just As Well As In Person Therapy

Many people have questions around online therapy, but it has been shown to be just as effective as in person therapy. Most types of therapy can be done effectively online include EMDR and Somatic Therapy. However, some people do have a preference toward one way or the other. It’s important to feel able to be open and comfortable in counseling so if you have a preference that’s important to pay attention to.

I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Eureka or the right therapist for online therapy. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (707) 954- 7060 for a free 15 minute consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with anxiety counseling, depression counseling, or trauma counseling, you can read more about how I can help here.