Counseling, like the work we do here at OCC, is meant to be an outlet for patients to help them improve their mental health. This can be seen in help with anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, stress, grief and loss, phobias and so much more. Counselors are equipped with different methods to help you, as a patient, overcome the struggles that you are dealing with. Counseling offers a judgment-free, unbiased place for patients to come and talk about their feelings and struggles to someone that wants to help them and see them evolve.

Taking the step to start going to counseling is not always the easiest. It takes opening up to your feelings and wanting to start a change. We put together a comprehensive list of 5 good reasons why you might want to start going to counseling. The purpose of this list is to show you that many people go to counseling for many different reasons, much more than just this list! So, if you are thinking about starting counseling but are not sure if you should, here are some reasons to think about it!

1. You are experiencing a big change.
Changes are hard and tough on the mind. Having an outlet can help you to cope with this change and lead you through it effectively.

2. You are having harmful thoughts.
Even if it's a small thought that goes away in an instant, these thoughts are scary. It is beneficial to talk this out with a counselor and have them guide you in a new direction.

3. You are feeling isolated.

When dealing with mental health issues, it is common to feel lonely. By going to counseling it shows you that you are not alone. People care about you and want to help you if you will let them.

4. You feel as though you are losing relationships.

Mental health issues tend to take over your everyday life. It is not that you don’t want to talk to your family and friends, it’s just that it’s hard and takes effort. Counseling can help to pinpoint how to help the patient overcome this and find ways that might make relationships not feel so tiring.

5. You just feel like you need someone to talk to.

At the end of the day, going to counseling and talking to a counselor is nothing to be ashamed of. Additionally, mental health is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. If you feel like you need to talk to someone outside of your family and friends, do it! They can provide you with much more help than you may think and can be a really valuable outlet.

To request an appointment with OCC, please click here!