Common Questions about Care to Change
If you’ve never talked with a counselor, you might be anxious. We understand that counseling is never easy. But then, neither is life. And there’s no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed about asking for help. In fact, knowing you need help is a sign of courage and character. It means you’re ready for change, and we’re here to guide you through the process of making those changes.
Through our work with clients, we’ve encountered many of the same questions. We’ve included some of the most commonly asked questions on this page. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, we invite you to call or email us.
+ Why do people go to counseling?
There are many reasons people decide to turn to a counselor. Generally, it’s because they’re facing some kind of personal or relationship challenge that seems to be impossible to overcome. Perhaps it’s a relationship that has become troubled or even broken. Maybe it’s a fear that’s interfering with their enjoyment of daily life, work, family, or friends. Often, it’s something they feel but have difficulty putting into words. Some clients describe it as a feeling of being “stuck” — they know they want to move toward something that’s better and happier, but they don’t know how to get there, or even how to start.
+ How do I know if I need to see a counselor?
If you’re asking the question, it’s a good sign that you believe you could benefit from counseling. If you feel that something is keeping you from enjoying life and relationships with others to the fullest, if life seems to lack meaning, if you’re struggling with something you just can’t overcome, or if you’re not sure of your meaning as a person, you may benefit from counseling
Often, people seek help from friends or family members. That usually isn’t successful, because family members and friends can’t approach your situation from an objective perspective. They know you too well, and their relationship with you affects their view of your challenges. Our counselors are experienced professionals who have been trained to help people better understand themselves and what they need to do to move forward in life and in relationships.
+ Shouldn't I be able to handle my own problems?
We all want to rely on our own resources and abilities, and throughout most of our lives, those resources and abilities serve us very well. But we also encounter challenges that seem to be impossible to overcome. We’ve heard many clients describe it as a feeling of being “stuck” — they know they want to move toward something that’s better and happier, but they don’t know how to get there, or even how to start. Perhaps it’s a relationship that has become troubled or even broken. Maybe it’s a fear that it’s interfering with their enjoyment of daily life, work, family, or friends. Often, it’s something they feel but have difficulty putting into words.
Reaching for help at those times isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s actually proof of personal courage. Admitting that you want to move forward, but can’t seem to do it on your own, requires more bravery than most people realize. And more often than not, people who have grown through counseling tell us they wished they had started sooner.