Life can become overwhelming and stressful, and certain situations can be downright miserable. At Kelly Counseling, I am here to listen and to start you on the path to good mental health.
Through questioning, discussing, sharing and sometimes laughing or crying, we will work together to assess personal issues and work to resolve them. The road to good mental health takes dedication, hard work, education and change. Kelly Counseling will help you experience success in dealing with depression, anxiety, abuse, trauma, anger, addiction, eating disorders, codependency, spiritual confusion, marriage and relationship conflict. Therapy is a two way street and we will work together.
What is Counseling?
At times, everyone feels stressed-out, depressed, angry, anxious, or confused. Sometimes these problems gradually go away on their own or they get better with the support of our friends and family. However, there are other times when these problems can cause major disruptions in our lives and/or they are too difficult to talk about with our family and friends. It is at these times when one should seek professional help.
In general, counseling is a process where a trained professional helps someone deal with problems related to personal, emotional, and social issues. Clients collaborate with their therapist to define problems they wish to address and to find solutions to these problems. Although, one's experience in counseling will vary depending on that person's unique goals, some of the things you can expect from counseling include:
- Talking with someone who will listen without criticism or judgment
- Talking with someone who will keep what you say private and confidential
- Establishing a positive, trusting relationship with a professional focused on making meaningful changes in your life
- Learning to gain greater control over your thoughts and feelings
- Identifying your concerns and exploring new ways to deal with them
Most people come to counseling sessions once per week for about 45 minutes. During these sessions, the therapist and client will continuously collaborate on the goals of the individual, monitor the progress toward these goals, modify goals if necessary, and work toward positive changes. The frequency and duration of counseling services is based on individual needs.
Some people receive individual counseling, but at times it is appropriate and helpful to receive couples and/or family counseling. I can help you to assess these needs and goals.
(Above modified from Marymount Manhattan College, Counseling and Wellness Center, www.mmm.edu
When should you seek counseling?
From childhood through late adulthood, there are certain times when we may need help addressing problems and issues that cause us emotional distress or make us feel overwhelmed. When you are experiencing these types of difficulties, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional. Professional counselors offer the caring, expert assistance that we often need during these stressful times. A counselor can help you identify your problems and assist you in finding the best ways to cope with the situation by changing behaviors that contribute to the problem or by finding constructive ways to deal with a situation that is beyond your personal control. 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, conflict, possible break-up or divorce
- marital and pre-marital communication issues
- substance abuse and other addictions
- sexual abuse, trauma, domestic violence
- eating disorders, low self-esteem
- career change and job stress
- social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness
- adapting to life transitions
- the death of a loved one
"Good indicators of when you should seek counseling are when you're having difficulties at work, your ability to concentrate is diminished or when your level of pain becomes uncomfortable," says Dr. Gail Robinson, past president of the American Counseling Association. "However, you don't want to wait until the pain becomes unbearable or you're at the end of your rope.""If someone is questioning if they should go into counseling that is probably the best indicator that they should," says Dr. William King, a mental health counselor in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana. "You should trust your instincts."Joyce Breasure, past president of the American Counseling Association and a professional counselor who has been in private practice for more than 20 years, recommends counseling 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
"If you're not playing some, working some, and learning some, then you're out of balance. There's a potential for some problems," Breasure says. Robinson points out you don't have to be "sick" to benefit from counseling. "Counseling is more than a treatment of mental illness," she says. "Some difficult issues we face in life are part of normal development. Sometimes it's helpful to see what you're going through is quite normal."
Professional counseling services available in Florence and north Alabama.
