What are the Benefits of Counseling?
Counseling can sometimes be thought of in a dim and serious light. However, counseling is often an uplifting experience for individuals seeking to explore and remedy their behaviors and emotional state. Surprisingly, emotions can even be explored through humor.
It’s not uncommon to experience a life stressor that makes you feel “stuck” or “overwhelmed.” You may notice feeling “out of sorts,” or having extended periods of sadness, anxiety, or anger. These feelings may be negatively impacting your ability to sleep, school/job performance, relationships or health. Counseling provides a neutral and empowering space where you can safely explore negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors regarding sensitive issues. It’s a unique opportunity to gain insight and discover new skills and resources. Unfortunately, there is much misinformation and many stigmas about mental health treatment that prevent people from seeking counseling services at the onset of these challenges. A build-up of negative feelings or unprocessed traumas can lead to serious problems. Research has shown that most people feel better within seven to ten visits and 88% of therapy-goers reported improvements after just one session (Sack, 2013).
About Our Counseling Services
The Therapy Tree provides individual, couples and marriage counseling, family counseling, and parent coaching. We prioritize cultivating a respectful and nurturing environment where children, adolescents, and adults build resilience and make positive changes. The counseling department is currently staffed by 11 counselors who are either working toward or are licensed as Clinical Professional Counselors and Social Workers, and Social Work Master’s Program Interns. Collectively, we have decades of experience working with parenting issues, depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, relationship conflict, grief/loss, and much more. We use a variety of treatment models such as a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), play therapy, trauma-informed, and solution-focused. New research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomber School of Public Health (2014) suggests that CBT is the most effective form of talk therapy and can have lasting effects long after treatment has stopped.
To Learn More About Counseling Services or to Get Signed Up
If you are interested in learning more or would like to setup an appointment, please call us at 847-265-7300 to complete an intake form. A counselor that seems to best meet your needs based on the information you provided will then call you to setup an appointment. Seeking counseling is a courageous and positive step toward improved well-being and relationships.
Resources
References
Sack, D. (2013, March 18). 5 Signs It’s Time to Seek Therapy. Retrieved October 17, 2014 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201303/5-signs-its-time-seek-therapy-0
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2014, September 25). Talk therapy — not medication — best for social anxiety disorder, large study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 22, 2014 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140925205629.htm
