How do I know if I need Counselling?
I’m going to be very bold here and suggest that nobody needs counselling. Counselling is not a life-saving treatment although I have absolutely no doubt it has, and does, save lives. However, what is unquestionable is that counselling makes a huge difference to our client’s lives, helping them to understand themselves and the way in which they interact with the world and those around them.
Deciding whether you need counselling can depend on many things. Here are some signs and situations that might indicate it's a good time to seek counselling:
Emotional Distress: you feel overwhelmed and are finding it more difficult to cope with daily life.
Persistent sadness or worry: you can’t lift your spirits or are spending more and more time worrying about things that may feel outside of your control.
Anger or irritability: you are feeling more frustrated with relationships, friendships or work.
Loss and trauma: you have experienced a loss (bereavement, job, relationship etc) and can’t make sense of what’s happened. Or something has happened which has left you feeling traumatised and you keep replaying these events.
Health concerns: you notice worrying symptoms or are being investigated for a health condition and cannot stop thinking about how your life might change.
Relationship problems: you are struggling with communication, intimacy, sex or trust in personal relationships or perhaps you repeatedly find yourself in the wrong sort of relationship. Thie is not just intimate relationships but you may also be experiencing difficulties with your parents and siblings.
Withdrawal: you find yourself avoiding activities or people due to lack of interest or worries that you are not good enough.
Addictions: to drugs, medications, alcohol, food or risky behaviours.
Feeling Stuck or Unhappy: we all feel stuck at times, but if this might be getting on top of you and you can’t seem to shake it.
Need for Support and Growth: you might want to change your career or how you identify yourself with others.
Whilst this is not an exhaustive list, these are all reasons why people frequently seek counselling.
Counselling provides a safe space to explore feelings, identify patterns, and develop strategies for managing emotions and problems. Whether you're going through something specific or just want support in understanding yourself better, counselling can offer both insight and tools for coping.
If you're uncertain, it might be worth speaking to a counsellor to get a better sense of what’s possible. You will quickly build a rapport with your counsellor and start getting to the heart of the things that keep you up at night.