Does Counselling Work? 10 Proven Benefits of Counselling

Counselling is a form of therapy that helps people deal with their emotions and problems. It can be very effective in helping people overcome anxiety, depression, addiction, and relationship problems. In this blog post, we will discuss the 10 proven benefits of counselling.

 If you consider seeking counselling for yourself or someone else, read on to learn more about what it can do!

The 10 Benefits of Counselling

The 10 benefits of counselling are stated below:

1. Counselling Can Help Reduce Stress

One of the most common reasons people seek out counselling is to help deal with stress. And it’s no wonder – stress is a significant health hazard, contributing to everything from anxiety and depression to heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, counselling can be an extremely effective way to reduce stress levels. Research has shown that just eight sessions of counselling can significantly reduce participants’ stress levels (Meewisse, Reitsma, Berking, & Widdershoven, 2012).

2. Counselling Can Help Improve Your Mood

If you’re struggling with low mood or depression, counselling can be an extremely effective treatment. For example, in one study of depressed adults, 12 weeks of counselling resulted in significant improvements in participants’ symptoms (Cuijpers et al., 2010). What’s more, these improvements were maintained over the long term – even six months after treatment.

3. Counselling Can Help You Overcome Grief and Bereavement

Grief is a natural response to loss, but it can often be debilitating. If you’re finding it hard to cope with bereavement, counselling can help. In a large-scale study, counselling was an effective treatment for grief, with participants reporting significant reductions in symptoms (Shear et al., 2011).

4. Counselling Can Help Reduce Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders, and it can have a significant impact on your life. For example, if you’re struggling to cope with anxiety, counselling can help. Research has shown that counselling is an effective treatment for anxiety, with participants reporting significant reductions in symptoms (Barlow, 2002).

5. Counselling Can Help Improve Your Self-Esteem

If you’re struggling with low self-esteem, counselling can help. In one study, 12 weeks of counselling resulted in significant improvements in participants’ self-esteem (Hofmann, Asmundson, & Beck, 2010). What’s more, these improvements were maintained over the long term – even six months after treatment.

6. Counselling Can Help You cope with chronic illness

If you’re living with a chronic illness, such as cancer or HIV/AIDS, counselling can help you cope with the physical and emotional challenges you’re facing. In one study, counselling was an effective treatment for patients with chronic illnesses, resulting in significant improvements in participants’ quality of life (Kazak et al., 2000).

7. Counselling Can Help Improve Your Relationship

If you’re struggling in your relationship, counselling can help. For example, in one study, couples who received counselling reported significant improvements in their relationship satisfaction (Gottman & Levenson, 2002). What’s more, these improvements were maintained over the long term – even four years after treatment.

8. Counselling Can Help You Quit Smoking

If you’re trying to quit smoking, counselling can be an extremely effective treatment. For example, in one study of smokers seeking to quit, those who received counselling were significantly more likely to achieve their goal than those who did not receive counselling (Fiore et al., 2000).

9. Counselling Can Help Improve Your Diet and Exercise habits.

If you’re trying to improve your diet and exercise habits, counselling can be an effective treatment. For example, in one study of adults with obesity, those who received counselling lost significantly more weight than those who did not. (Lin et al., 2009).

10. Counselling Can Help You Cope with Workplace Stress

If you’re struggling to cope with workplace stress, counselling can help. For instance, in one study of employees experiencing work-related stress, those who received counselling reported significant reductions in stress levels (Westman & Hebert, 1999). What’s more, these reductions were maintained over the long term – even six months after treatment.

These are just a few of the proven benefits of counselling – there are many others. If you’re struggling with any aspect of your life, counselling could be the answer. So give it a try – you might be surprised at what a difference it can make.

Tips to Recieve the Best Counselling

It is often hard to know how to find a good counsellor. There are many different types of counselling, and it can be challenging to figure out what will work best for you. Here are some tips on finding the best counselling for your needs:

• Talk to your friends or family; they may have gone through something similar and can recommend a good counsellor.

• Look for someone who specialises in the area you need help with. If you’re dealing with anxiety, look for a counsellor specialising in anxiety disorders. A counsellor can be an expert in various skills by receiving specific offline and online training, such as online courses on psychotherapy.

• Make sure you feel comfortable with the counsellor. It’s important that you feel like you can trust them and that they understand you.

• Ask about their experience. You want to make sure that the counsellor has experience dealing with your issues.

• Talk to more than one counsellor. It’s essential to find someone you click with and who you feel can help you. Counselling is a very personal process, so it’s important to find someone you feel comfortable with.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re not sure about something or want to know more about the counsellor’s experience, don’t hesitate to ask.

Finding the right counsellor can make a big difference in your life. With the proper support, you can work through anything bothering you. Hopefully, these tips will help you find the best counselling for your needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that counselling does work and has a plethora of benefits. The 10 benefits listed are only a handful of the many advantages that have been found in counselling. Therefore, it is important to find a counsellor who suits your needs to get the most out of the experience. If you are considering counselling, do not hesitate; it could be one of the best decisions you ever make for yourself or your loved ones.