How to Know When it’s Necessary to Seek Counselling in Kitchener
There is so much to keep track of these days, and even more pressure to be ‘on it’ all the time! Between work commitments, family commitments, social commitments, financial pressures, health concerns, and the list can go on and on – when are we supposed to find the time to take a moment for ourselves? To fill up our own cups in order to give from our overflow to all of our external demands?
It feels like there just aren’t enough minutes in the day.
The reality is that often it is all a bit too much to manage on our own, which by no means signifies that we are failures. Rather the opposite, coming to accept that we need help and then subsequently asking for it is one of the bravest things we can do. To ask for help is the humble acknowledgement that we are imperfect, totally fallible human beings who mess up, get stuck, and need a bit of guidance.
Thankfully we live in a time where getting help, whether it’s addictions counselling, grief counselling or relationship counselling to name a few, is not just reserved for ‘crazy people’. That false stigma has been shed.
Common reasons for seeking counselling
The more common reasons for seeking counseling include the following:
- When you feel sad or angry most of the time
- No longer interested in anything you used to enjoy
- Experiencing loss either due to bereavement or the end of a relationship
- Abusing drugs, alcohol, sex, or any other addicitive substance or action
- Have had something important taken away, such as a job or money
- Experienced physical, mental or emotional abuse
- Experienced a trauma event
- Struggling with a personality disorder
But if none of the above reasons apply to you, that does not necessarily mean that you should not look into counseling. It is not that cut and dry. Counselling is not just there as a last resort once things have hit rock bottom. There are plenty of other instances, that appear less dramatic than the examples above, where counselling could prove to be the best thing you could invest in for yourself!
5 other moments where counselling could be helpful
- You crave a new perspective from someone who isn’t part of your immediate circle
Most of us get stuck in our way of thinking and perpetuate these narratives in our heads. The reality is though, that there is certainly more than one truth with each encounter we have with others. Your experience of a situation could be entirely different to your partner’s experience, and this inability to accept that your truth may not be the only option is what typically leads to conflict. Therapy helps to provide a bigger picture. Well-trained therapists are able to offer multiple perspectives to help you to try and see things from all angles before making absolute decisions or reacting in a negative way.
- You want to understand why you do the things you do, feel the way you feel, and think the things you think
We seem to be able to see others much more clearly, and lack a bit of understanding of ourselves. The way we see ourselves is naturally influenced by our own fears and insecurities, so it is no wonder we often behave differently to the advice that we so readily give to our friends. Working with a qualified psychotherapist can be just the thing you need to gain a deeper understanding of yourself.
- You think your relationships could be far stronger
It can be really hard to communicate our own emotions and needs to our respective partners, or even our friends and family. As a result, our relationships are very rarely as evolved as they could be. Counselling provides you with the tools to communicate more effectively, so that you are able to say what is necessary without triggering a negative response from the person across from you.
- You are in a constant state of overwhelm
“Everthing just feels like TOO MUCH and I CAN’T HANDLE IT ANYMORE!” We have all been there. It is a scary place to be when you feel like you have lost all control and things have gotten out of hand. Perhaps you have run out of strategies to cope, or you aren’t even sure why you feel so stressed, but you just know the feeling of overwhelm is getting worse. The good news is that counselling is also for those who experience stress and anxiety. A counsellor can help you understand where your feelings of overwhelm stem from and assist you with making life choices that can help you going forward.
- You just need to feel heard
This is one of the most universal human needs. We all have a desire to be heard and understood, but within everyday life there are plenty of barriers that can get in the way. With counselling, you are held in an entirely safe environment where you can be as vulnerable as you need to be without the fear of judgment or getting hurt.
Where to find counselling in Kitchener
Finding the right counselling services or therapist to suit you and your requirements can be a challenge.
COCA Psychotherapy counselling services Waterloo have a team of dynamic psychotherapists whose focus is to empower individuals to reach their desired level of self-fulfillment. They go about this process through a collaborative and non-judgmental approach.
The COCA team is made up of four certified and highly experienced therapists based in Kitchener who specialize in Couples Counselling, Depression Counselling, Family Counselling, and both Group and Individual Counselling.
Furthermore, if you are practicing strict social distancing, and are actively avoiding face-to-face appointments, there is also the option of Virtual Counselling throughout Ontario, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Nova Scotia.
While COCA Psychotherapy will certainly provide you with tools and a safe space to communicate freely, getting the most out of therapy requires a collaborative effort between b
