What is Counseling!

There are many myths out there about what counseling is.  When someone says “therapy” you will often conjure up visions of a client, lying on a couch, recalling his childhood to an old gray-haired man who is murmuring “um-hmm, I see. Tell me more.”

Some people dismiss counseling as –

• Something for “crazy people”
• A crutch for people who are too weak to handle life
• Help for people with really serious problems

Myths such as these come from people who have never been to counseling.

Have you ever had something stuck in your teeth and you didn’t know it?  Or you come home to discover you’ve had a pen mark on your face all day and no one mentioned it?

Counseling is simply a relationship with a professional who helps you by holding up a “mirror” so you can see yourself more clearly.  Without a mirror, it’s pretty difficult to remove the pen mark or food stuck in your teeth, right?

It’s a pretty tough world out there – chances are, your odds of getting something stuck in your teeth or some other embarrassing flaw are just as common as the other blemishes that life can throw at you – Things like…

• CONFUSION
• FEAR
• TRAUMA
• REJECTION
• ANGER
• ABANDONMENT
• HURT

Counseling is a chance to talk over what is on your mind with an objective person. They can help you learn new skills and ways of looking at situations so that you will be more capable of solving problems on your own.   Because the counselor is a caring professional, she knows how to hold the mirror so that you will be able to see the things that need to be dealt with, but you will see yourself (flaws included) in a loving, supporting, and sympathetic perspective.  Once you see the issues, you can begin to work on them.

How does counseling help?

• It offers a way to gain perspective on your behavior, emotions and relationships.
• It provides a means to express your feelings and identify patterns of thinking.
• It alleviates anxiety, depression and anger in their many forms.
• It helps develop communication skills for dealing with conflict and frustration.
• It is a means for addressing pain, working through loss and adding meaning to your life.

Do I need counseling?

Most of our clients do well with our coaching program, but occasionally there are those who are facing issues that keep them stuck in a rut.  Angela is experienced in working with people who are facing severe marital issues, substance abuse issues, or have traumas from their past which has crippled their ability to move forward.  We have several formats to choose from:  face to face individual or marital counseling is available for those residing in the North Georgia area.  Phone sessions coupled with email services are also available.  Group therapy is available when there is enough interest in a particular area.  Referrals will be made to a professional in your area if necessary.