Topic: counseling-fundamentals

Question: How does counseling help people?
Does counseling really do anything that can help people?

Answer (from Steve McCready):
A counselor can do a few things that can be helpful:1) Give you a space where you can explore what's in your head without worrying about being judged or punished.2) Help you better understand yourself, your choices, your motivations.3) Give you tools and information you can use to help create change in your life. Ultimately, though, it's up to the client to take action, because action is what creates change. So, a counselor can't create change ... but they can facilitate and support it.

Answer (from Dr Mel McGeeCovington-McGee Christian Counseling ):
What is the importance of counseling to believers today? With faith-based counseling, you can receive the appropriate guidance and help in line with the words of the most wonderful counselor of all—God. With Covington-McGee Christian Counseling, you can receive holistic healing for your mind, body, spirit, and emotions in your quest for optimal health, wellness, and happiness in life.

Answer (from Audrey ONealBi-lingual Psychotherapist and HeartMath Certified Practitioner):
Counseling can be beneficial in many ways. For example, a counselor can help an individual identify the sources of their psychological distress and support them in using coping skills.In addition, counselors can collaborate with clients in developing a treatment plan that lays out goals and objectives to be realized during the process.The counselor's capacity to understand the underlying problems and also communicate the understanding to the client constitutes an important discussion to have that leads to helping the client alleviate symptoms.Most counselors use active listening and this intervention helps clients feel heard which in itself can be healing.

Answer (from Ian Palombo#ThoughtMediator & #LifeUntangler):
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective therapy for everyday struggles, as well as depression, anxiety, substance use, eating disorders, and many others. And all of our expert therapists at Denver Mental Health Collective are trained in CBT. Very simply, CBT is designed around the belief that emotions are hard to change directly. So, we target the emotions by changing thoughts and behaviors that contribute to distressing emotions.Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Work?CBT is evidenced-based and its effectiveness is proven. In brief, an article published in the journal Cognitive Therapy and Research says:“The evidence-base of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is very strong.” (1) “CBT is as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications. (2)”What Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Involve? Simply, your therapist will encourage you to think about your life in new ways. And CBT will help you recognize ineffective habits and teach you how to change them.And then CBT will help you examine the way your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors all contribute to the problems you experience. Finally, you’ll learn specific skills and techniques for coping with problems more effectively and changing your habits.What Are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Skills?Packed with exercises and skills, CBT will help you put an end to the negative thoughts. A Denver Mental Health Collective therapist will help you reconnect with life using the following skills:Turn Off Self-Defeating ThoughtsChange Negative Core BeliefsPractice Stress ReductionLearn New Problem Solving SkillsUse Assertive Communication SkillsPractice Coping Imagery and SkillsLearn to Face Fearful SituationsIs CBT Right For You?CBT is an excellent fit if any of these describe you:You struggle with anxiety or depressionIt feels difficult to control your behaviorLow self-esteem is undermining your relationshipsYou’d love a break from destructive thoughtsYou wish to create a more balanced lifeYou feel generally stressed or angryAs difficult as these challenges are, you are not alone.In fact, you are capable of learning new thinking patterns. And reducing daily stress. And and putting a stop to destructive thoughts. As a result, you’ll gain a better understanding of your thoughts, and your behaviors can start to change. In the same way, a better understanding of your thoughts and beliefs will begin to reflect the reality around you. Together, we can help you gain a more positive self-image.Of course, you might not be quite ready to schedule. So, here are some links to some helpful information:https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioralhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3584580/http://cogbtherapy.com/how-effective-is-cbt-compared-to-other-treatments

Answer (from Dr. Timothy Paul'man'; Online - "Natural Health Consultant and Coach"):
No, not really;And it's impossible for it to, anyway;And, this is isn't some sort of "you did it all yourself" kind of blather;Because:1) In most outcomes, if a man or woman simply does nothing and waits, most of the time, they get better... (there are reasons to that);2) In most therapy sessions, approximately 92% (give or take, per study) of all outcomes--be they positive or negative--occur due to factors SOLELY WITHIN the man or woman seeking therapy to begin with;3) The word "THERAPY" does not imply cure, but implies treatment (suppression);4) Truly, a proper "therapist" will be able to spot the problem quickly, recommended proper protocols quickly, and coach to completion.5) Even if we PRESUME generosity, the "therapist" really doesn't matter much (maybe 8%); it really all is in you...Be well, man...

Answer (from Jennifer GerlachYour Story Matters):
You are asking a room full of counselors, and so I am going to guess that we may be a bit biased :). My answer is this: sometimes. Many people benefit from counseling and when counseling works those benefits can show up through positive improvements in your moods, making more choices that align with your values, working through stuff, and a general improved sense of self. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, a counselor, the approach they are using and the person do not match up and when that happens sometimes counseling does not help. It is very important to find the right counselor for you. Ideally this should be someone you feel a level of trust and connection with who is also using a style that you feel confident in. Research has shown that these aspects (what is called the 'therapeutic alliance') along with shared goals between the client and counselor give counseling the best chance at being effective

Answer (from Shannon GonterBe who you are, not who the world has told you to be. ):
Counseling is a collaborative process which involves the development of a confidential, unique, therapeutic, helping relationship. This relationship is unlike any other as the counselor will act as a facilitator in helping you better understand yourself, the world around you, your feelings, and your behaviors.As is the case with most things in life, there are both benefits and risks while participating in counseling. Counseling may improve your ability to relate with others, provide a clearer understanding of yourself, your values, and your goals, and it often helps relieve stress immediately.Along with these benefits, counseling will also involve discussing the unpleasant parts of your life, and you may experience uncomfortable feelings during these moments. But remember that using the awareness of one’s pain can aid the healing process and result in better relationships with yourself and others.