4 Common Misconceptions About Adult Counseling Services

Adult counseling is performed by people who have been trained to provide mental health support to ordinary people like you. These counselors may be psychologists, psychiatrists, or licensed clinical social workers. Counseling can help people make good decisions during difficult times, but some people are hesitant to take advantage of this service. Learning the truth about the myths surrounding mental health care can help you understand adult counseling, which may lead you to seek counseling for yourself. Here are four common misconceptions about counseling:

1. Only mentally ill people need counseling.

People with mental illnesses can benefit from counseling, but you don't need to have a clinical condition in order to pursue counseling services. If you simply feel like you need to talk with someone, counseling is for you. Counselors can help adults make sense of their life circumstances. If you're experiencing a hard time in your marriage, job, or personal life, a counselor can help you uncover the source of your problems so you can find solutions.

2. Attending counseling means admitting weakness.

Some people are hesitant to seek counseling because they think it means admitting weakness. However, there is nothing weak about taking care of your mental health. Even the strongest people sometimes need someone to talk to. Being proactive about your mental health is actually a sign of clear thinking and strength. Taking care of yourself will help you be strong for yourself and others.

3. People can overcome their mental health struggles with positive thinking.

Many people will struggle with depression and anxiety at some point during their lives. Unfortunately, these illnesses are unfairly stigmatized. Some people believe that they should be able to think themselves out of mental health struggles with positive thoughts. Positive thinking can be good for you, but it is seldom sufficient to address underlying mental health issues. A counselor can give you better tools to overcome depression and anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques are very effective at addressing the symptoms of these mental illnesses.

4. Counseling is too expensive for people on a tight budget.

Some people would like to try counseling, but they think it is outside of their budget. However, you might be surprised at how affordable counseling can be. People who are on Medicaid can often receive free counseling services. People without insurance may be able to take advantage of low-cost counseling services that are available through community organizations.