Photo credit: Alan Cleaver
Most people recognise counselling as a valuable way for others to work through their problems.
As individuals, we are sometimes self-conscious about seeking counselling for ourselves.
Some believe that getting help means you aren’t strong enough to cope with your situation by yourself. You might think that by going to counselling you are admitting that something is wrong with you. You might equate counselling with failure. This could not be further from the truth.
Asking for help takes more courage than keeping your feelings locked up.
Counselling is about discussing your current challenges with a neutral party who is not there to judge you, but to listen and offer direction. Talking through your life changing event will allow you to understand your past and how it affects your present, and to find answers to the questions that have been lurking in your mind.
If you feel you need immediate psychological assistance, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Beyond Blue and The Australian Counselling Association also offer useful resources that allow you to locate a suitable counsellor in your local area.
Family Counselling
Just as there is no shame in admitting that you need help as an individual, there is also no shame in seeking counselling as a couple or as a family. It is easy to fall out of step with your partner or children – the stresses of work and everyday life often make meaningful communication difficult to come by. Counselling can assist your family to understand how each other is feeling and to reconnect on a mental and emotional level.
Even after separation, counselling can be very useful for ex-partners to negotiate their new relationship, and to agree on how to proceed in everyone’s best interests. Relationships Australia offers marriage, separation and divorce counselling.
