Myths About Counseling Counseling is a sign of weakness: Nothing could be further from the
truth. It takes courage to acknowledge a problem or difficulty.
Entering counseling is an important first step in resolving the
problem.
Counseling is only for people with serious emotional problems:
Although counseling can be beneficial for people who do have serious emotional problems, it is also helpful for people with everyday
concerns such as adjustment or phase of life issues.
Counseling is advice giving: By the time many people come to
counseling, they often have had more advice than they can handle. Counseling
operates from the premise that the counselor is knowledgeable about
the change process, but that you are the expert on your life. In some
ways counseling is like working with a coach. You do the work, but by
working with someone who has training and experience with facilitating
positive change, you are likely to work more effectively and see
results more quickly.
Counseling is a last resort: Most of us do not think that we have to
experience a heart attack before we can see a doctor; it is OK to go
if we merely have a sprained ankle. The same applies to counseling -
you don't have to have the emotional equivalent of a heart attack to
see a counselor. By working with a counselor you can often get back on
track much faster and save yourself a lot of unnecessary distress.
