Reasons you may need to visit a counsellor
It has been reported that approximately 450 million people are affected by mental health worldwide yet many of these individuals still feel embarrassed and ashamed to seek guidance and support. According to Counselling Directory “Current figures state that each year in Britain an estimated 1 in 4 adults will experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem, though only 230 of every 300 who need help will actually visit their GP.”* This only emphasises the ongoing stigma surrounding mental health issues. But seeking professional advice can have many benefits.
Benefits of Counselling
Mental health illnesses are becoming increasingly common, however they are something that could be overcome with the help of counselling. One of the key benefits to seeking therapy is that it can allow an individual to work through a multitude of mental health issues and illnesses. This is achieved through firstly identifying and understanding any problems or concerns an individual is having then deciding how best to approach them. It is important to understand that counselling is a process and one that is tailored specifically to each individual.
What Counselling can help with
A common misconception of counselling is that only those with a severe mental illness require it. This is not the case. Although counselling is a tool used for severe cases, some of the other areas it can help with are
- Addiction
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Relationships
- Traumas
Some of the other mental health issues therapy can help with are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Long-term illness
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
- Drug misuse
Different types of Counselling
As counselling is tailored to each individual there are many different types of counselling. Face to face counselling is the most commonly known however there are other types including:
- Couples counselling
- Cognitive and behavioural therapies
- Psychoanalytical and psychodynamic therapies
- Humanistic therapies
- Arts therapies
Counselling might also be available by phone or email to ease convenience and comfort.
Seeking counselling is something that you should never be embarrassed or ashamed to admit. At CU Coventry we have an on hand student welfare officer who can help with any and all queries you might have.
*Source: http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/stats.html