Why should I go to counseling?
Counseling can help if you are experiencing any of the following:
Sadness, frustration, or loneliness persistently getting in the way of meaningful relationships or life goals
Often feeling out of control when angry, irritated, or fearful
Feeling overwhelmed or paralyzed by recurrent feelings of anxiety, worry, or guilt
Facing major problems at home, work, school, or in the neighborhood that affect how you act or live
Personal life, work and/or relationships with family and friends are more difficult than they should be
Experiencing a loss or trauma making it difficult to cope
Thoughts of hopelessness, helplessness or just wanting to give up on life
A physician, family member or friend or other trusted individual suggesting counseling
Losing joy or motivation at work, home or in other personal areas
If your feelings are severe and you have any thoughts of self-harm, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
What will happen at the first session?
The first session is a time for you to get oriented and for your counselor to start learning about you. Your counselor will:
Explain the therapy process and expectations
Review his or her policies
Answer any questions you might have to help you feel comfortable.
The therapist may ask you questions about:
Your current life
Recent stressors
How you've been feeling during the past year.
Your health
Your relationships with family and friends
Your work and home environment
And other such questions to get better acquainted.
This will help build a solid foundation for your work together.
Sessions typically last 45-55 minutes once a week at the beginning. You may meet less or more often depending on what you and your therapist decide is best for you.
What types of therapists are there?
Master’s level clinicians provide counseling. They do not manage psychiatric medications. Some examples:
Social worker (LSW or LCSW),
Professional Counselor (LPC or LCPC),
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
Doctoral level clinicians provide counseling and administer testing to diagnose issues like learning disorders. They do not manage psychiatric medications:
Psychologist (Ph.D/Psy.D./Ed.D)
Those who have attended medical school and received extra training in psychiatry can provide counseling, but will likely focus on evaluation, diagnosis and management of psychiatric medications:
Psychiatrist (M.D./D.O.)
Is counseling confidential?
Yes, with some exceptions. The therapist cannot tell anyone - not even your close family members - about what is discussed.
Some exceptions generally include:
- If the client is a minor as defined by state law.
Counselors are mandated by law to report:
- If you are a danger to yourself or others,
- Instances of abuse or neglect of a child or an elderly person (and in Illinois, this includes a child witnessing violence within the home)
How long does counseling last?
The length of time in counseling will depend on:
1. The type of personal concerns you have (how long and how severe)
2. What you tell your therapist (how open you are); and
3. The kind of relationship you have with him/her (how much trust has been built).
Some people are helped after only a few sessions while others may need or prefer a longer term therapy that may last from several months to years.
If needed, family members may attend some of the sessions to provide extra support and to help improve family relationships.
