What does it take to walk through the door of a counseling office?

Thought this might be an intriguing question to ask our blog readers.  Some people have asked if I could give them some information about counseling in order to help them to reduce the level of anxiety they might experience about walking through the door.    Most people who come to counseling are looking for answers because of some problem, or psychic pain.  Sometimes individuals are court ordered to go to counseling.  What individuals usually experience in varying degrees is turmoil that may be affecting their close relationships, at home, on the job, or socially.    

Usually this turmoil compels someone to make the call.  Perhaps they have heard someone speak about how they were helped when they went to counseling. 

A counseling relationship between a professional counselor and a patient is a professional relationship in which the professional counselor assists the client in exploring and resolving difficult life issues.  At the first session each person is asked to complete a personal inventory that includes basic information and a brief personal history.  Your counselor will then ask a series of questions designed to help clarify the issue or issues of concern.  You then will be asked what you would like to achieve as the result of counseling.  Counseling works best when the therapist and the patient work together to determine goals and the means to achieve those goals.  By mutual agreement, the therapist will outline steps needed to bring about manageable changes to reach your goal.   

The issue of confidentiality is critical in psychological treatment. Ordinarily, client conversations with therapists are considered privileged also known as confidential.  Exceptions to confidentiality include threats of suicide or violence, child abuse, elder abuse, abuse of a disabled person, or inormation required by the courts. Counselors are obligated under law to take whatever actions necessary to protect people from harm, including the release of confidential information without the patient’s permission.   

For more information about how psychotherapy can help as well as loads of other information about a variety of mental health topics

click here  http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/article.php?artID=903

Photo by Ayashok photos on Flickr

The October 2007  Harvard Mental Health Letter  features an article which gives tips to clinicians about how to support patients.  Here are some excerpts worthy of further disussion and thought.  For a small fee you can view the complete article at  www.health.harvard.edu

 "Clinicians may think that these topics are so highly charged that they keep their distance and avoid talking with patients about their spiritual or religious beliefs.  .  .The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has reported that 87% of Americans consider themselves to be religious, while 57% attend some type of religious worship service on a regular basis.  Likewise, a Newsweek/Belief poll found that 88% of Americans who responded described themselves as spiritual, religious, or both. " 

"Recognizing the importance of spirituality the Joint Commission . . .now requires that hospitals, mental health centers, and other participating organizations have clinicians assess clients' spiritual beliefs and needs, with the goal of improving treatment and services.  .  .   The Joint Commission requires clinicians to ask about spiritual beliefs at the time of assessment, so that a patient's beliefs can become part of the treatment plan. .  .  '

"For example, a practicing Catholic who is struggling with an addiction  may find it helpful to attend Mass on a daily basis rather than weekly."