There are many stigmas attached to counseling. You may feel somewhat embarrassed to admit to needing it, in fear that you will be judged or ridiculed.

The truth is there is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. Seeking the help of trained professionals in order to better your mental health or wellbeing is, in fact, admirable.

Not letting things spiral out of control before asking for help should be respected. And it only takes one decision to access this power.

In today’s world there is a form of counseling available for every human challenge imaginable. It’s worthwhile knowing what kinds of help are out there should you or someone you know ever appear to be in need.

Different Types

Whether or not a situation is severe enough to require counseling is a subjective matter. Generally, if an individual believes they need help they do; regardless of the realities of their situation.

While the broader list of counseling South Melbourne professionals have on offer could go on forever, here is a break down of a few of the more common types:

Marriage Counseling

Marriage counseling is interesting because it can be attended both by a married couple or individually. Usually marriage counseling is sought out by individuals who are finding it increasingly hard to co-exist with their wedded partner.

Marriage requires work, and if not nurtured over time the reason two people came together in the first place can be forgotten. A marriage counselor will work with a couple or individual to pin point areas of neglect and address exactly how to fix them.

Marriage counseling is sometimes also prescribed by law officials to parents in the midst of custody battles or divorce.

Guidance Counseling

In spite of having no real, permeant life issue, some individuals enjoy the council of a stranger to guide them through general life and choices they have to make.

Guidance counseling does just that. It offers a safe, objective space in which a patient can talk freely during sessions. Guidance counselors will listen and offer feedback or guidance on what the individual is facing at that moment.

These sessions are usually weekly or monthly. They can also include guidance in the form of career counseling for individuals who are struggling to find their life’s calling.

Mental Health Counseling

Depression, anxiety and general hysteria run rife through even the most stable looking individuals. Counseling for mental health is something that can be of great benefit to almost anyone in today’s world. With society placing a lot of pressure on individuals, more and more people need assistance to cope.

Mental health counseling attempts to bring a person into sound mind and limit the extent of the negative mental states being experienced.

Anyone who battles to find a balance between extreme ups and downs can make use of this kind of counseling. Counseling of this nature can be experienced in either inpatient or outpatient programs.

Substance Abuse Counseling

Typically when mental health issues aren’t addressed early enough they lead to substance abuse issues. In the event of this there is targeted counseling available.

Substance abuse counseling has a wide range of levels of severity to suit all scenarios. Some people may need more invasive forms of counseling than others while others only require the most basic of programs.

Regardless, there is help available. Whether drugs or alcohol, qualified counselors will guide you through.

Similar to mental health, this kind of counseling is also either inpatient or outpatient based.

Educational Counseling

The educational system was not designed with every type of human being in mind. Some children struggle greatly with the nature of work being presented to them in schools. They don’t have the mental capacity to comprehend the work the same way others in their classes do.

Educational counseling is a tool that can help your child shift into the schooling bracket set for his or her age group. It can help prevent the need to keep a child back a year just because they can’t keep up.

The Benefits

Seeking counseling and support programs is the first step to a healthier, happier you.

Because of the broad spectrum of counseling programs out there, the benefits tend to be exclusive to each one. It’s therefore often better to break down counseling into two groups of analysis; individual counseling and group counseling.

Individual Counseling

It’s understandable that speaking about your personal problems in front of a group many not be the best starting block for you. Individual counseling exists to give a more private experience to the patient in order to achieve maximum results.

Individual counseling would involve you being one on one with a trained individual who is providing the guidance. The nature of your sessions may be monthly, weekly or even daily depending on the specifics of your problem.

Advantages of individual counseling are as follows:

• A closer connection to the counselor
• Inclination to be more vulnerable during sessions
• Information is kept confidential
• Tends to achieve results faster

Group Counseling

Sometimes solace is found in the presence of strangers. You may not think it, but listening to others open up tends to ignite the same desire in you.

Attending group counseling sessions for whatever your problem may be is a communal way of healing. It’s ideal for individuals who perhaps don’t do well in one on one confrontation and enjoy the presence of others for support.

Conclusion

There is no right or wrong way to go through life-we’re all simply trying to figure it out as we go along. Counseling programs are a great way to navigate the trials that find us on our journeys.

Be brave…seek help. We are here for you!