Counselling is one of the most powerful weapons we have against a whole range of mental health issues like depression, grief and anxiety. Having someone to talk to, who is there specifically to listen to you talk about your feelings, is an invaluable benefit to many people. Often people find solace in talking to friends or family, but for many people this can actually be a barrier to openly and honestly discussing your issues – many people feel more comfortable talking to a trained professional who is essentially a stranger and who can therefore listen to you without judgement. They’re also experienced in dealing with and talking about almost any subject or taboo under the sun, so there’s nothing you need to feel too embarrassed or ashamed to talk about.
If you’re considering counselling, we’ve listed and explained the key benefits that come out of engaging in talking therapy with caring, qualified people.
See your thoughts from a different perspective
Speaking aloud and verbalising your thoughts and emotions lets you see them from a new perspective, instead of just in the interior of your own mind. Saying them to another person also makes you consider what their view is, meaning you can gain new ways of thinking about your problems, simply by letting them out. In a similar way, keeping a diary or journal is a great help to many people – seeing your problems written down on paper allows you to examine them from a distance. In some cases, people discover that their worries or anxieties aren’t really founded on any real cause for concern or that what they thought was a very serious issue was in fact nothing at all to worry about – this can be a huge relief.
Cathartic experience
Similarly, letting things out that you’ve been keeping inside can be a cathartic experience, purging you of pent up emotions, as many people find they are relieved of thoughts or feelings that they’ve been bottling up. Such a release often feels like a weight off the mind, and allows people to begin to let go of feelings they’ve been holding on to.
Time set aside to confront feelings
Today we’re busier than we’ve ever been in the past, as our attention is pulled in every way possible from the moment we wake up until the moment we fall asleep. This means we can rarely afford time to sit and process feelings of guilt, remorse, grief or sadness. Counselling or talking therapy means you simply dedicate some time to facing or confronting your issues. When you have an appointment with another person, you’re committed to them for that period of time, meaning you can’t put off or run away from facing your feelings. Equally, you’re less likely to be distracted whilst you are facing those feelings.
Couples can benefit from a neutral party
People in relationships often see very positive benefits from specific relationship or couples counselling. Problems in relationships can become deeply entrenched if a couple is unable to openly discuss issues and move past them. Taking the time to talk through such issues with a neutral third party means both sides can air their views whilst someone is there to mediate between them and help them both to see arguments from the other’s perspective.
Feel less alone with your problems
Often people feel unable to share their feelings and issues with the people in their life, and quite often with those most close to them. Having someone who is a complete stranger, who doesn’t know you and won’t judge you, can give you the freedom to talk about things you wouldn’t normally admit to your friends and family. This is hugely helpful in making people feel less alone and isolated in their suffering, especially if you’ve had something on your mind that you’re too embarrassed to discuss with people who know you.
Find it easier to cope in everyday life
Sharing and unloading your emotions through counselling and talking means you can get on with the rest of your life, making it easier to cope. You have some weight off your mind, and you know that, should anything come up, you have someone you can talk to about anything you’re worried about. People find that this, knowing you can rely on someone to listen to your problems, frees them of worrying about their problems all the time, meaning they can focus on living their lives again. This often produces a virtuous cycle, as being able to focus on everyday life means people make positive changes in their life, which in turn lifts their mood. Some even get back on the path to realising their dreams.
Share the burden of your emotions
And having that one person that you confide in, who listens to you, relieves you of always shouldering the burden of your emotions. It’s quite common for emotions that are bottled up to have lasting effects on your mood and behaviour, and long-seated issues can be the root cause of all kinds of worries.
Improve your physical wellbeing
Often in this field, all of the focus is on the mental side of things, but as physical beings, our physiology and overall health and wellbeing plays into the equation too. Some such benefits people get as a result of counselling can be more energy, sounder sleep, and a better appetite. This often has a knock-on effect, making people more active, which can elevate feelings of positivity. The other side of this coin is the simple benefit of spending time in close proximity to other people which, especially for those feeling lonely, can have a hugely comforting effect.
Greater degree of self-awareness
Finally, examining your emotions with another person allows you to see yourself from the outside, resulting in a heightened sense of self-awareness. And once processed, this can have hugely beneficial effects in making people feel more at peace with themselves, and more confident in the rest of their lives.
Help information
If living in Ireland you can find accredited therapists in your area here:
Thanks to Ann Heathcote of The Worsley Centre for writing this article.
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