It is completely normal for any of us to experience stress, be it the everyday kind of stress or major life stressors. Some people may seem to go through more of these compared to others. Others may have it relatively easy. It is worth noting that everyone responds differently to stress. Each of us has our own ways of interacting with the world.
Similarly, we each have varying responses to how the world treats us. There are times that we may feel overwhelmed by everything that is happening. Coping can be difficult, but it is possible.
Counseling is one way of coping with life’s many stresses. However, some people still hold a negative view of seeking advice. Some see it as unnecessary and demeaning, while others see it as a sign of weakness.
You can be assured that seeking counseling is not a show of weakness! It is, in fact, a sign of strength. Counseling and therapy can help with a lot of problems and can lead a person to become stronger than ever.
What Can Counseling Help With?
Some people believe that counseling is only for people who are dealing with severe psychological disorders and major emotional issues. That is not the case.
Contrary to popular belief, anyone can benefit from counseling. Even some people who are functioning quite well in their day-to-day lives go through regular counseling. The good thing, however, is that the stigma regarding counseling is going away. More and more people are starting to see it as something that’s not only normal but indeed helpful.
Counseling can help with a lot of things that life throws our way. Some of these things include:
- Stress: Stress is one very common reason for seeing a therapist. Seeking counseling, for this reason, can provide one with an avenue for venting about stressors. There are different kinds of stress, and there are different types of counseling available to cope with and get through the stress.
- Relationship troubles: Problems in relationships can also be addressed by counseling and therapy. These relationships can range from romantic to marriage, friends to families, and many more. Countless relationships have been saved by counseling.
- Personal problems: People that experience personal problems can get relief through therapy. Some of the frequent contributors to personal problems include work, school, relationships, and many others.
- Psychological disorders: Therapy is also excellent for many different psychological conditions. Some of these disorders include depression, PTSD, anxiety, trauma, and many others.
As mentioned earlier, you don’t need to have any of these problems to go to therapy. Anyone can benefit from counseling.
7 Reasons that Prove Counseling is a Sign of Strength
Unlike what many believe, counseling is not a show of weakness. Wanting to seek advice is actually a show of strength and mental fortitude. Here are seven ways counseling is a sign of strength and not weakness.
1. Counseling is a show of acceptance
Many people refuse to acknowledge the presence of problems in their lives. This, of course, is the textbook definition of denial. Denial is the primary reason why these issues tend to balloon out and get bigger over time. It could be acceptable if the consequences are always mundane and shallow.
However, many problems can cause bigger and more serious problems to arise. The refusal to accept the existence if issues is the largest hindrance to solving it.
As the famous saying goes, the first step to solving a problem is acceptance. Acknowledging that there is a problem (which needs to be addressed) is one BIG step closer to solving it.
Accepting that you need counseling brings you closer to a solution to the things that you face.
How is this a show of strength?
It takes a lot of willpower to admit that you are facing problems. It takes even more strength to admit that you cannot solve everything on your own. Wanting to seek counseling is an acknowledgment of these things. Actually seeking advice makes a person strong, not weak.
2. Seeking counseling is saying no to helplessness
Some people go through life by just letting the status quo run its course. The belief that the current situation cannot be changed.
A sad example of this can be seen in people who are in situations that they do not want to be in. Some are reduced into a state of helplessness, accepting that the situation is irreversible and unchangeable.
As we mentioned earlier, recognizing that a problem is present is the first step to solving it. Acknowledging the desire to change the situation and doing something about it equates to saying no to helplessness.
Not all people can change their situations on their own. Some will need a bit of help in order to do so. Counseling and therapy can be the push that people need to change the status quo. Seeking advice is saying no to helplessness. Saying no to helplessness and wanting to change is a great sign of strength.
3. Going through counseling can be a step in the right direction
It is only natural to feel lost at times. Counseling can help you in getting back into the right track.
The desire to get back to your best self shows that you acknowledge that you are presently in a less-than-ideal state of mind and/or emotions. That alone shows a willingness to change. It should not be seen as a weakness at all. Strength!
4. Counseling is an excellent form of self-love and self-care
Many people often take self-love and self-care for granted.
Self-love can be described as the state of appreciating yourself and accepting yourself fully. Self-care, on the other hand, contributes to self-love. Self-care includes the actions and behavior that one does in order to become better. Counseling is a contributor to these things and can, in the long run, be extremely beneficial.
Counseling has many benefits, which is why it is an ideal form of self-care. Some of these benefits include:
- Stress relief
- Contributes to good mental health
- Affects physical health positively
- Keeps relationships healthy
- Provides an avenue for talking about problems
How are self-care and self-love forms of strength? Accepting yourself and acknowledging your capabilities can prove to be difficult. There are times when the world will fill you up with problems that self-love can be hard. However, attempting to make things better builds strength.
5. Seeking counseling shows that you are willing to stand up
Some people just give up when stressors and problems arrive. There are others, however, who will do whatever it takes to remain standing even when times get trying. Trying to stay afloat amidst all the problems is a difficult thing to do. It is something that counseling can help with.
There are many tried-and-tested methods that therapists use for assisting people to achieve this. Some of these include:
- Talk therapy, which uses conversations to get to the root of the problem
- Behavior therapy, which involves identifying and modifying behaviors
- Many other forms of therapy & counselling
Counseling, in particular, is a form of talk therapy. If you feel like you are too weighed down but you want to keep standing, see a counselor. This does not make you weak. On the contrary, it shows inner strength because of your refusal to cave in to problems.
6. Seeking help is NOT a sign of weakness
There are some things that we cannot go through alone. All of us need a bit of help at some point in our lives. Acknowledging the fact that you cannot do things alone signifies strength. In no way does this show weakness of any sort.
Counseling is a healthy form of seeking help. It has many benefits and does not have negative consequences on you and other people. If you believe that you may need some help getting back on track, then consider seeing a counselor. This may very well be the way to get back to being your best self.
7. Wanting to see better days does not make you weak
Dreaming about better days is entirely normal, especially if you’re going through a rough patch. Some people see this as a form of weakness, using the argument of “dreaming but not acting.”
Of course, dreaming without doing anything will get you nowhere.
Wanting to see better days does not make you weak. You can dream all you want, but make sure that you do something about your situation.
If you want results, you need to take action.
Counseling is an excellent way of taking action to address your problems.
If you feel like you need that little push to get you back on the right track, then see a counselor.
Do you need counseling? We Can Help!
Don’t be scared of being seen as weak if you want to seek counseling. Wanting to go through counseling, like what we have explained earlier, is actually a sign of strength. You acknowledge that you have a problem, and you want things to become better. It shows mental fortitude and strength.
Capital Choice Counseling has been serving the Ottawa area since 2006. We are among the most trusted in this field. Our therapists and staff are highly trained professionals who will use their depth of experience and training to help you.
Contact us today to book your appointment – and make a choice of strength!
