Breaking the Stigma of Counselling
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I have noticed a theme lately of people saying they wish they came to counselling sooner, and they wonder why there is a stigma about seeking counselling services. While Sigmund Freud and images of people lying on couches are often associated with therapy, counselling psychology goes way beyond what you see in movies or TV shows.
You do not have to be experiencing a crisis in order to benefit from counselling psychology services. Therapy can be utilized in a proactive, preventive role to help support individuals and families before they get to the point of a crisis.
Counselling can be an excellent resource for helping professionals and anyone who spends a considerable amount of time supporting others—parents, frontline workers, first responders, health professionals, teachers, therapists, and more. I attend regular therapy sessions and workshops to support my own health and wellbeing as supporting others can get heavy at times and I have my own past experiences too.
Counselling psychologists can help support career development and life transitions such as retirement, divorce, graduation, children leaving home, health changes, injury and surgery recovery, the end of an athletic career, change management, being a parent, midlife, and feeling stuck. Lack of motivation or procrastination may be signs that something else is going on under the surface.
The stigma towards seeking counselling can come from concern about judgement from others, appearing weak, or feeling like you should be able to handle your own problems. Often there is a gender stigma toward men seeking psychological services and many athletes are told to “suck it up” and be mentally tough. Actually, taking action to seek support for your challenges shows strength and requires vulnerability.
Reflect on the messages you have received from family, friends, movies, and other media about counselling throughout your life and how those experiences have influenced your view of therapy and seeking support for your needs.
Tonia
tonia@toniaandersonpsychology.ca
587-224-4071