It’s common to believe that counselling is for people with a mental health problem like depression and anxiety. The truth is that you might find counselling beneficial even if you feel like everything is going smoothly.

 

What is mental health?

When we hear the phrase “mental health problem” it can conjure up images of crises and heavy discussions. I always get the image of someone hunched over in a chair with a big grey cloud above their head.

You might be surprised to discover that mental health is about so much more than just problems! It’s a description of our emotional wellbeing and includes things like our coping skills, and our overall life satisfaction.

Imagine your mind as a lovely garden; even the healthiest gardens can benefit from a little pruning or some fresh nutrients to help them thrive. So, even if you’re not facing a crisis right now, there are signs to keep your eye out for that mean counselling could be helpful.

 

What are the signs I might need counselling?

1. Feeling Stuck: You’re finding yourself going round in circles, having difficulty making even simple decisions and finding ways to move forward. It can feel a bit like being at a fork in the road and every path fills you with doubt and uncertainty.
2. Overwhelming Emotions: You’re experiencing big feelings that are hard to manage like anxiety, anger, irritation, shame or guilt. You’re not sure what to do with them and you spend more time trying to gain control over your emotions than anything else.
3. Major Life Changes: Whether you’re moving house, starting a new job, becoming a parent or experiencing shifts in your relationships - big changes can stir up lots of uncomfortable emotions and uncertainties.
4. Struggles in Relationships: You’re feeling dissatisfied in your relationships, you give so much to those around you but you don’t get the same in return. You aren’t feeling valued by the people closest to you or cared for in your relationships. Maybe you’re on the other side of this and you feel like nothing you do for the people around you is enough to make them happy, which is stirring up feelings of failure in you.
5. Loss of Interest: The things that once brought you joy now feel like chores, you can’t remember the last time you laughed or felt satisfied by something. You want to feel fulfilled but can’t put your finger on why you aren’t.
6. Managing Stress: You feel like you’re constantly spinning plates and have a knot in the pit of your stomach that any moment you’ll drop one. You struggle to say no to new tasks because you don’t want to let people down or be seen as not coping.

 

How can counselling help?

In my experience counselling is rarely about fixing the surface problem, like putting plates down or getting your partner to do the (enter chosen expletive here) dishes. Counselling is also about your personal growth and understanding yourself deeply and compassionately. Below are some ways I can help you:

Self-Discovery: Getting a clear understanding of your true self, what you want from life and navigating how to get there. I can help you uncover your passions and values so you can let go of the mask and live more freely.

Coping Skills: Life likes to throw a wild card every now and then which can set you off balance, together we can equip you with practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, and those big overwhelming feelings that can take hold during these times.

Enhancing Relationships: Relationships are like an orchid they need regular care and tending to help them grow strong and blossom. Most of us are really good at noticing what we don’t like in a relationship, but many of us have difficulty identifying our needs and verbalising how we want them met. Growing up, lots of us weren’t equipped with the skills to have honest, vulnerable and productive conversations about our needs.

Whether you want to improve communication with a partner, family member, or friend, I can provide you with new perspectives, insights and strategies for nurturing stronger connections.

Setting Goals: If you’re feeling stuck, lost or directionless, I can help you to clarify your goals and support you to identify a manageable plan to achieve them. Together we will figure out what is causing you to stay stuck and find ways to get you moving again.

Building Resilience: Life is a rollercoaster and at times we all face challenges that can leave us feeling sick to the stomach and desperate for everything to stay still so we can get our bearings. Together we will help you to develop the skills and confidence to cope when tough times strike.

 

 Hmm... I'm still unsure if It’s really right for me

Next time you’re wondering whether counselling might be right for you, remember: it’s not only for help in a crisis, I can also help you to enhance your life, gain a deeper understanding of yourself, and navigate life’s ups and downs with more ease.

If you’re feeling even the slightest urge towards having counselling, why not get in touch to arrange a short free call to discuss how I could help. There's no expectations for you to commit to anything, just an opportunity to see if counselling could help you.

The next time you find yourself sinking, remember its ok to reach out and I can help you find your armbands.