Counselors

When to seek counseling#

We all face personal challenges in our lives. Often we deal with them by talking to friends or family, or by working through things ourselves. Sometimes, though, issues are too much to manage alone and cannot be resolved with support from people close to us.

At times like these, seeking support and strategies from a professional such as a counselor can be helpful. Anyone who is struggling with a personal concern can seek counseling, and no issue is too big or too small to ask for support.

What is counseling?#

A counselor is a trained, objective professional with whom you can build a healing and trusting relationship. Counseling is a process of talking about and working through your personal problems together.

The counselor helps you address your problems in a positive way by helping you to clarify the issues, explore options, develop strategies and increase self-awareness. For some people, simply telling their story and being listened to is helpful in itself.

Counselors are trained to offer talk-based therapy, and there are many different types of talk-based therapy and approaches. A counselor may also work in partnership with a medical doctor or other health professionals to give comprehensive and integrated care.

Confidentiality#

Counseling provides confidential support. This means that everything you discuss with the counselor is private, between you and them. The exception is when a counselor has a duty of care to report something that threatens your wellbeing or the wellbeing of others. This requirement will be explained to you in your first counseling session.

Common reasons people seek counseling#

Common issues that people seek counseling for include:

• grief and loss
• communication and relationship issues
• work or career issues
• stress, anxiety and depression
• life transitions, such as the birth of a new baby or a separation

Counselors and other mental health professionals#

There can be a lot of overlap between counseling and psychotherapy, as both use talk-based therapy. The approach used depends on the needs of the person.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has extra training specializing in mental health. A psychiatrist may offer talk-based therapy and can also prescribe medications to help manage the symptoms of mental illnesses such as severe depression or anxiety. A counselor is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medication of any kind.

Check that a counselor is qualified#

Do not assume that all counselors are professionally qualified. In many places there is no law requiring a person who provides a counseling service to have particular qualifications or experience. This means that people without training or skills can call themselves counselors or psychotherapists.

A trained counselor has usually spent 3 or more years studying counseling at university, often at postgraduate level, or has an equivalent level of training at another accredited institution. In some countries, professional associations set standards for counselors and psychotherapists, and membership can be a useful sign of appropriate training.

It is important to find a counselor with the right training and experience, who suits your needs and whom you feel comfortable with.

Choosing a counselor#

When choosing a counselor, it is a good idea to ask about their qualifications, experience, approach and an estimate of their fees.

• Some counselors (for example, those who work in universities or community health centers) may be free or charge very low fees.
• Others may charge a fee per hour, which can vary widely. Keep in mind that price does not always reflect the quality of the service.

Not all counselors have the same approach, and you may need to try more than one to find the right fit.

Costs and rebates#

Depending on where you live, part of the cost of counseling may be subsidised through a public health system, a referral from your doctor, or your private health insurance. Some health systems require a doctor to assess, often through a questionnaire and their knowledge of you, whether you would benefit from mental health support before any subsidy applies.

Not all counselors are eligible for rebates or subsidies, so it is worth asking the individual counselor what financial support may be available.

Your first session#

Your first session helps you decide whether this counselor is right for you. Questions to ask yourself include:

• Do I feel comfortable?
• Am I able to talk freely about deeply personal thoughts and emotions?
• Is the counselor paying attention to me?
• Do I feel they understand me?

If the answer is no, you do not have to go back. You are under no obligation to continue seeing a counselor if you are not comfortable with them.

It is reasonable to ask the counselor at the end of the first session for an estimate of how many sessions they think you will need. Remember that this is only an estimate. Some problems can be resolved in a few sessions. In other cases, talking about a particular problem may bring up deeper, unresolved issues that need further exploration.

Key points#

• Anyone struggling with a personal concern can seek counseling, and no issue is too big or too small.
• Counseling is confidential, except where a counselor has a duty of care to report a serious risk of harm.
• A counselor is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medication.
• In many places, anyone can call themselves a counselor, so check their training and experience.
• You are under no obligation to keep seeing a counselor you are not comfortable with.