Three Benefits of Counseling and Therapy
By: Kaylee Smith
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In the past few decades, counseling and therapy have become more highly sought after and accepted in our society. The community consensus has shifted from “if you get help, something is wrong with you,” to bonding over shared experiences with a friend regarding their new counselor, techniques they use to deescalate an anxiety attack, or the newest trending self-help books. Even so, there are many people who are still unfamiliar with the benefits of counseling and therapy. To some, it may seem odd to spend money talking to a stranger, taking time out of your busy schedule, and sharing your struggles and vulnerabilities that you feel reflect poorly on your character. However, this is not the case. The world of counseling and therapy opens a new side of yourself, making you stronger and more in-touch with who you are. There are many benefits of counseling and therapy, many of which are specific to the goals being targeted, but we will focus on three main ones.
Changing Your Thought Patterns
One benefit of counseling and therapy can be a change in your thought patterns. Your counselor or therapist might give you tools to help disrupt your mind’s normal, routine flow. For example, if you struggle with self-worth or self-image, your therapist might give you some statements to affirm yourself with when you find those negative thoughts invading your space. Counseling and therapy might even give you new insights to where these thoughts are rooted and can help you extinguish them from the source.
Conflict Resolution Strategies
While we may not like to face it, we will all experience conflict with another person at some point. Counseling and therapy can address all types of conflict. This can range from martial conflicts in marriage counseling to privately working through how to approach your difficult coworker during individual therapy. Counseling can teach you to be direct if you struggle with stating your mind. Conversely, you could learn that maybe you need to be gentler as you get defensive in times of conflict. Regardless, your counselor or therapist can give you the tools you need to face these conflicts and navigate them skillfully.
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Building Support Systems
Some individuals who attend counseling and therapy might feel alone or isolated. However, counseling and therapy are great places to develop a support system that will help you go beyond these feelings of loneliness. I know that in times where I have felt this way there were people around me there to help that I could not see. Your counselor might help you realize you have people around you, waiting and wanting to help. Each support system for every individual will look different, and as your counselor or therapist gets to know you better, they can identify, while collaborating with you, what supports you need, have, or lack. Even if you quit attending sessions, these strategies will travel with you.
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While there are many benefits of counseling and therapy, these three benefits are important to know before, during, and after attending sessions. I know when I went to therapy the first time, I was not expecting to realize the support system I had around me. I even walked through conflict resolution strategies with my counselor that I still use today. The tools that your counselor or therapist offers you will extend outside of your meeting into your everyday life, continuing to refine you into your best you.
