Understanding Mental Health Counseling
By:
Nate Webster, LMHC
What
exactly does sitting down and talking to someone about your problems actually
do? In many ways counseling can just sound like a glorified coffee date with
friends, except the cappuccino is $75.00 an hour. Here are four analogies to
help uncover the mystery of counseling. These analogies give word pictures to
help you understand exactly what
counseling does to help you and what can be expected. So whether you’re
someone who uses analogies a lot or someone who is new to using analogies, I
hope these give you some clarity.
Counselors are like binoculars:
First and foremost,
counselors often act like a pair of binoculars in your life. When you’re trying
to discern what the current conditions of your life may be leading to, a
counselor can be helpful as they look out at the horizon and discern what’s in
the distance. What looks like some harmless twirling in the water a mile away,
a counselor can identify as an eventual whirlpool that may trap you. A
counselor isn’t a fortune teller but is simply trained in helping someone
discern what relationships and activities in their life now may eventually lead
to harm later.
Counselors are like x-rays:
Second is that
counselors can often give you an x-ray of your emotions. Not only do counselors
help you see what is far away, they also help you see what might be going on
inside. There are many things in each and every one of us that we really
struggle to see; nevertheless those things can cause all kinds of problems in
our lives. Our challenges cause discomfort, yet often times it is difficult to
identify them without help. Counselors are very good at understanding what your
pain may mean, and are great at helping you look inward.
Counselors are like mirrors:
Thirdly, counselors are
especially like mirrors. It’s often difficult for people to see themselves for
who they really are and many of us walk around just guessing what we look like
emotionally. However, counselors are trained to act as an honest, objective,
reflection to help people see themselves. They reflect the pleasant and
unpleasant of people’s personalities, but most importantly allow people to ask
questions about what they see. Where else do you get to see your emotional
reflection and perhaps change the way you feel?
Counselors are like compasses:
In the midst of life’s
storms it can be really hard to tell what is ‘True North’, which is why the
fourth analogy for counselors is a compass. Counselors are especially trained
in navigating the various directions the storms of life can take you, which can
be especially helpful for those who have gone through trauma as they have
sailed through life. It can be so hard to tell what is the right course to take
when life brings big waves and dark skies. But counselors hunker down below
deck with you and help you navigate safely as you journey through life!
If you want a therapist to help you reflect, direct and be aware of the things in your life, Life Works Group is a great place to start. You can call us at (407) 647-7005 or visit us online at LifeWorksGroup.org.
