Therapy, counseling, and mental health are often shrouded in mystery. Although times are changing, mental health is often viewed as a touchy subject among family members and friend groups worldwide. At Fifth Street Counseling Center, we want to shine a light on mental health and mental health counselors to help get rid of the stigma associated with seeking treatment for mental or emotional issues.
What Does A Mental Health Counselor Do?
There is no script or set of rules when it comes to counseling and dealing with mental and psychological issues. Some sessions might involve tears and anger, others can be spent in total silence. A mental health counselor’s role is to administer continuous psychological care to individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, volatile relationships, substance abuse, and various other mental health issues.
Provides You With A Safe Space
The concept of a safe, non-judgemental space is foreign to many people who struggle with their psychological health. Everything you say in your counselor’s office is confidential, and will never be revealed to other people or held against you. Mental health counselors approach everything you say without bias or emotions, making it easier for you to open up.
Teaches You Coping Mechanisms
People who seek out mental health guidance may not know how to cope with their experiences, whether in the past or the present. Using solution-focused therapy, counselors at Fifth Street Counseling Center provide individuals seeking help with techniques and strategies they can employ to get through a rough patch and manage past traumas.
While these techniques vary greatly between therapists and patients, they can be as simple as breathing or counting to 10 during an argument.
You Might Have Homework
Sometimes your mental health counselor will prescribe homework. This can involve writing a letter, communicating with a loved one, or even going for a walk. There are no punishments for not completing your homework, and your therapist will not judge you if you attempt your homework and are unable to complete the task.
What Mental Health Counselors Don’t Do
A good mental health counselor will not tell you what to do or how to live your life. Your counselor is there to listen, guide, and teach, not to order you around. While your counselor may occasionally encourage you to step outside of your perceived comfort zone, you will always be guided through the process and never thrown into the deep end.
Mental Health Counselors Are Unbiased
People are naturally biased – our experiences shape our outlook on life, leaving the notion of complete objectivity to the realm of machines. What sets mental health counselors apart from everyone else is their training, which teaches them to acknowledge that bias and put it aside in an attempt to help their patients.
Many people who struggle with mental health issues feel uncomfortable opening up to friends and family. You may feel ashamed of your feelings or worried that you won’t be accepted if you talk about them because your friends and family are emotionally invested in you. This is normal. Because your counselor is a stranger, they have no preconceived opinions about you and will be able to approach your sessions with new eyes and without judgment.
In the beginning, telling a complete stranger personal information about yourself can be difficult, and even intimidating. During your first appointment, you may be thinking something along the lines of, “They don’t know anything about me, they don’t know any of my backstories, how can they help me if we don’t have a personal connection?”
Thoughts such as those are perfectly normal, and your mental health counselor is aware of the fact that you are likely nervous and unsure. It is their job to make you feel comfortable.
Mental Health Counselors Serving Broward County
At Fifth Street Counseling Center, we understand that taking the first step towards getting help can be incredibly difficult. Our team is dedicated and they’re here to help you, no matter what you’re going through. Call us today at 954-797-5222 to make an appointment at our Plantation, Miramar, or Pompano Beach office.
