psychotherapist speaking with a patient about healthy coping machanisms

How Can Counselling Improve Your Mental Health?

psychotherapist speaking with a patient about healthy coping machanismsGoing through tough times is inevitable. However, seeking help can make these experiences significantly easier to deal with.

Although great effort has been made in recent years, the stigma surrounding therapy still exists, albeit not as much as it used to. Many people still worry about being judged by their community for seeking therapy, discouraging them from getting the help they need.

Recognizing that asking for help is considered a sign of strength rather than weakness is a huge step toward abolishing the harmful opinion society has created.

Whether you’re looking for tips on managing a major life transition, want to learn better coping mechanisms, or are dealing with anxiety and depression, you can find the answers you’re looking for through counselling.

What is Psychotherapy?

Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy is a way to treat a broad range of psychological disorders and mental illnesses.a male patient listening to his psychotherapist talk about coming mechanisms

Although talking is a major part of this therapy, working towards finding solutions and learning new coping strategies is what makes this form of counselling effective.

Therapists aim to help their patients understand their feelings and equip them to face new challenges in both their present and future lives. Psychotherapy and counselling go hand in hand, offering different formats depending on the patient’s needs including individual, couple, and group therapy.

Benefits of Mental Health Counselling

Sitting down for the first time with someone you don’t know can be nerve-wracking, which is why the first therapy session is considered to be the most challenging.

Talk therapy encourages dialogue about issues that cause you distress, providing a safe space for individuals to feel heard and understood by a non-judgemental outsider. Before you can begin to find solutions, you must work together with your therapist to identify and understand how these stressors are impacting your life.

Feeling as though your emotions are validated reinforces self-esteem, and encourages positive internal conclusions.

Counselling also helps identify patterns of avoidance that may be preventing progress and causing negative emotions to take hold. Learning the necessary tools and techniques to cope with issues helps individuals become self-aware of the destructive thoughts and habits they may have and work towards diminishing them.

Even if you don’t struggle with severe depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses, counselling can help you gain a more balanced and helpful perspective when dealing with challenging events or circumstances.

Get Started on Your Journey to Well Being

Wondering how counselling can help you?female patient explaining her stress and anxiety related to work to her psychotherapist

Seeking therapy is the right step when life becomes a little too much to handle. Finding the right therapist for you is a critical part of your journey, as it can be difficult to open up to someone you don’t feel comfortable with.

Our Ottawa-based counsellors are expertly trained in most kinds of psychotherapy to help patients suffering from mental health issues including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and much more. We work hard to provide a comforting, safe space the moment you step through our doors.

Reach out to us to learn more about the benefits of counselling and book your appointment today.