MyThoughts

Here are 5 tips to keep in mind when choosing a counselor or a therapist:

• Find a counselor who can understand you and your needs: It is important that you find a counselor who can listen well and understand what it is that you are trying to convey.  Is the counselor asking enough questions?  Is the counselor asking the right questions?  If you feel like you are being misunderstood, then you might consider trying to find another counselor.   
• Find a counselor that will challenge you: One of the reasons counseling can be so effective is because it can make you look at your life more realistically.  If you have low self-esteem, a good counselor will challenge you to improve your self-image and not just flatter you in an attempt to boost your self-esteem artificially.  An effective counselor will be more proactive by giving you tasks and assignments to help you improve your situation.  If you feel like you are not being challenged, then maybe it is time to find another counselor.   
• Find a counselor that you can trust and connect with: It is imperative to find a counselor to whom you feel connected with and with whom you feel safe.  One of the goals in counseling should be to intentionally let yourself feel vulnerable to the counselor.  While that might seem frightening, that is one very important process that promotes growth from learning that you can put your trust in someone without becoming devastated by the aftermath.  Enabling yourself to feel vulnerable means that you must feel safe and be able to trust the counselor. 
• Find a counselor that will accept your true identity: The only way that you can feel safe disclosing personal information to a counselor is to know that the counselor is not passing judgment on you.  No matter how ridiculous or repulsive you may think your thoughts or feelings are, it is the job of the counselor to accept you for who you are and not to dispense judgments or preconceptions.
• Finding the appropriate counselor may take patience and persistence: If you are interested in making progress in your treatment, then rule number one is not to settle for a counselor that you feel will not be able to help you to your fullest extent.  Just like any other profession, there are good and bad counselors in the field.  Several research studies have shown that the theoretical approach or even the credentials of a counselor or therapist do not matter as much as the relationship that is developed between the counselor and the client.  This analogy may illustrate the point better; it is possible to walk several miles in a pair of shoes that do not fit or that are uncomfortable.  However, walking several miles in the right pair of shoes will most likely get you there faster and make the whole experience more enjoyable along the way. 

    
Sincerely,

Nathan M. Comerford, MA, LLPC, NCC

• If you or someone you know needs to speak to someone regarding relationship issues, emotional difficulties or mental health problems, help is a phone call away.  Schedule an appointment today!
  Just call (248) 932-7799 to set up an appointment with
  Nathan Comerford, MA LLPC NCC.
      
  Visit www.thoughtperspectives.com for more information on counseling and psychotherapy!
  
  Visit the "Ask the Counselor" Blog at:www.thoughtperspectives.com/blog
  
• This is a question and answer blog where Nathan answers questions concerning mental health topics.
•  If you have a question, you can send it to: questions@thoughtperspectives.com to have it answered by: Nathan Comerford, MA, LLPC, NCC.

Nathan M. Comerford is a psychotherapist in Farmington Hills, MI who has been helping people with their relationship issues, emotional difficulties and mental health problems for the past 8 years. 

Thought Perspectives Counseling
31275 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 120
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: (248) 932-7799
www.thoughtperspectives.com

I would like to continue demystifying the counseling process by explaining why counseling is effective in helping people to overcome their emotional issues and mental health problems.  

• The fact that a professional counselor is not a friend or a family member is actually beneficial to the counseling process.
         The fact that a counselor is not a friend or family member actually makes it easier for the counselor to help you.  The advice of friends and family members can often be colored with biases, judgments, or preconceptions.  Not only do counselors work to be objective and non-judgmental with their clients, that is what they are trained to do.  The goal of a counselor is to assist the client in getting what they want out of life not to assist them in getting what someone else wants for them.   
• Counseling can help one to help oneself.   
         The goal of counseling is not to have the client become dependent on the counselor for answers and advice but for the client to eventually learn to counsel oneself.  A good counselor will teach clients how to think through their decisions before making them, to communicate their needs more efficiently, and to identify and manage their emotions.
• Counseling can give one a place to vent emotional pain and frustration.
         Sometimes people just need to unload their thoughts and emotions to someone that really knows how to listen and understand what they are going through.  Well-respected counselors are excellent listeners that can also pick up on the underlying thoughts and emotions that are not verbalized.  A professional set of ears can be invaluable for helping people to release stress and figure out what it is they are actually feeling. 

     In next months newsletter I will be discussing how to choose the right counselor for your needs.  I wish you good mental health Metro Detroit!

Sincerely,

Nathan M. Comerford, MA, LLPC, NCC

• If you or someone you know needs to speak to someone regarding relationship issues, emotional difficulties or mental health problems, help is a phone call away.  Schedule an appointment today!
  Just call (248) 932-7799 to set up an appointment with
  Nathan Comerford, MA LLPC NCC.
      
  Visit www.thoughtperspectives.com for more information on counseling and psychotherapy!
  
  Visit the "Ask the Counselor" Blog at:www.thoughtperspectives.com/blog
  
• This is a question and answer blog where Nathan answers questions concerning mental health topics.
•  If you have a question, you can send it to: questions@thoughtperspectives.com to have it answered by: Nathan Comerford, MA, LLPC, NCC.

Nathan M. Comerford is a psychotherapist in Farmington Hills, MI who has been helping people with their relationship issues, emotional difficulties and mental health problems for the past 8 years. 

Thought Perspectives Counseling
31275 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 120
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: (248) 932-7799
www.thoughtperspectives.com