The stigma that comes with counseling.
The false misconception that most people have about counseling is that it is only for “bad kids.”
“Bad kids” in this sense particularly means kids who turn towards alcohol, drugs, or other abusive substances. It can also refer to people who get into fights or arguments frequently.
Now, you see, most people think that the only people who seek counseling or should seek counseling are the aforementioned “bad kids.” No one else.
The only valid reason for needing counseling to those people is to steer the direction your life is moving in from wrong to right.
However, that is not at all the case.
Counseling although helpful for the above purpose also helps those with mental health problems and even those without.
Counseling, plainly put, is just talking. Talking about what emotions you feel, what actions those emotions lead to, what outcomes and reactions those actions lead to, and so on and so forth.
It is just like talking to a friend but instead with a professional who can help sort out your emotions and let them out in a healthy way.
Contrary to popular belief, counselors do not dictate your actions and tell you what to do, instead, they merely guide you through all your baggage and problems.
They do not push you towards the direction they think is best, rather they let you choose a path for yourself after presenting all the options.
They are empathetic to your problems but do not get involved. It is all up to you to take the first step.
Now, it is a slightly different experience with career counseling. When helping you with your mental health, counselors take a more “counseling” stand.
As in they merely give advice and shine a light on alternatives and solutions.
However, during career counseling, a counselor will tell you outright if your selected career path does not line up with your talents and interests.
Although they still work in the same “guiding” manner, in this case, they are more inclined to be upfront.
For example, if you were to seek counseling for mood swings, you would be asked to keep a journal describing incidents and the feelings you felt.
Then you would be asked to assess them yourself and find what worked best to manage them.
On the other hand, if you were to seek counseling as you wish to become a doctor but are not interested or particularly good at biology, then you would be asked to re-evaluate your choices.
In both versions, you are made to take the wheel while the counselor takes a backseat but when it comes to career counseling, it is more straightforward and, for lack of a better word, formal.
Either way, counseling is an essential resource that only a few know to tap into.
Due to lack of awareness and stigmatization, counseling, while not exactly frowned upon, isn’t particularly welcomed either.
Personally, I see this as quite a shame.