Counseling is overall a wide category that concerns multiple opportunities in any number of segments of counseling subfields. Counselors and therapists help their clients in multiple ways, depending upon the type of counseling they need. Counseling includes the following: Individual counseling, which refers to talking and sharing privately, on a one-on-one basis with the counselor. Individual counseling can be helpful for those who want support but who are uncomfortable speaking in groups. Then there are couples counseling, which involves partners who talk with a counselor together, and family counseling that includes the entire family meeting with a counselor. Additionally, there is group counseling, where a group of individuals with similar concerns meets with a trained counselor who provides guidance. Lastly, there are support group sessions that involve individuals who come together for similar reasons. These groups usually focus on a general topic, such as cancer survivorship. A trained counselor doesn’t always lead support groups. Often, members of the group organize these groups to connect with and learn from others who are managing similar challenges.

The counseling process refers to events, characteristics, or conditions that occur during or due to the interaction between counselor and client. The therapeutic relationship that develops during counseling sessions is an example of the counseling process; completing homework outside of the session also constitutes an event that fits within the counseling process. The process can refer to what the counselor does with the client as well as how change occurs within the client. In contrast, counseling outcome refers to the result of the effects of counseling.

You need counseling if you are struggling in any of the following areas:

1. Difficult Life Events
Some people seek counseling due to a stressful or traumatic life event and speaking with a counselor enables them to process the situation. A few life events that can cause someone to seek counseling include the death of a loved one, job loss, abuse, addiction, and diagnosis of a severe illness

2. Mental Health Issues
Counseling is an excellent way for people with mental health issues to work through their symptoms in a supportive environment. Many people who seek counseling usually have anxiety disorders, which can cause excessive fear and worry. People with mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, could also benefit from counseling. There are several other mental illnesses that counseling can be a useful treatment option for.

3. Life Transitions or Decisions
People who are in a period of transition in their lives could benefit from counseling. Life transitions include adjusting to adulthood, starting a new career, marriage, becoming a parent, and retirement. These new experiences can often lead to difficult decisions, and counselors can give their unbiased opinion to help people make the best choices. Counseling can help people find out the options they genuinely want to make, even when faced with difficult decisions.

4. Self-Discovery
Even if you are not facing a specific issue in your life, some people seek counseling for self-discovery and self-improvement. Counseling is an excellent opportunity for you to reflect on your past experiences and to explore your feelings and values. This can improve your sense of self and help you feel complete and satisfied.

Individual counseling, also known as psychotherapy, talk therapy, and treatment, is a process in which clients work one-on-one with a trained mental health clinician in a safe and confidential environment. Counseling allows individuals to explore their feelings, behaviors, and beliefs, and identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change. Counseling also helps people work through challenging or influential memories and helps them set personal goals and better understand themselves while working toward desired change. Individual counseling is a personal opportunity to gain support and also experience growth during challenging times. Additionally, individual counseling can help a person deal with several personal issues, like depression, anxiety, anger, substance abuse, parenting problems, marriage, to name a handful.

If you are in need of counseling, then we welcome you to contact us through our website. Best Fit Counseling & Psychiatry is home to a leading team of professionals who want to help everyone on their road to recovery. Call us for more information. We serve patients anywhere in Michigan and our corporate offices are in Ann Arbor MI and surrounding areas including Pittsfield Charter TWP MI, Ypsilanti MI, Saline MI, Dexter MI and Scio TWP MI.