Combating Mental Health Stigma
Mental Health has gained strong attention over the last few years, and is still growing. What does this mean for you? Good question- and only you have the answer.
Mental Health is exactly what it sounds like- health for your mind. But it is so much more than that. Our minds are powerful pieces that contribute to our overall well-being. Our minds, like muscles, need to be exercised in a way that is helpful for our bodies as a whole. Our minds are capable of putting together our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and crafting core beliefs about ourselves and the world. Yet sometimes our minds become wounded. Sometimes they become tired. Sometimes they become trapped in a harmful state of being. My mental health invitation to you is to unlock the healing and thriving potential of your mind in order to fully integrate your mind, body and soul. It will take honesty, vulnerability, transparency, and venturing to places you never thought you'd go. Yet in doing so, a unique freedom is possible. True connection is possible. Are you willing to reconnect with yourself?
Debunking Counseling Myths
How many times have you heard the following, either in conversation or within yourself?
"If I go to counseling, it means I'm crazy."
"I can only go to counseling to talk about my problems."
"I don't want to be a burden on anyone. It's more helpful for me to keep my real feelings inside."
"I have too much garbage to unpack--it's not worth it."
"Going to therapy means I'm weak."
"Therapists just make you talk about things you don't want to."
"I don't want anyone all up in my personal business."
All of these are common misconceptions about the counseling experience. Counseling is for anyone and everyone willing to put forth the effort to better themselves and to learn about themselves in the process. I invite you to explore your own roadblocks in a safe space. We can share in your victories too!
Counseling vs. Coaching
Counseling and coaching services share similarities but there are several differences.
-Counseling digs deeper into unpacking feelings, core beliefs and unprocessed trauma
-Counseling can involve exploring interpersonal relationship, family systems and human development
-Counseling focuses more on the process rather than the final product
-Counseling may involve a clinical diagnosis and treatment
-Counseling duration is typically longer
-Coaching acknowledges themes but spends less time unpacking them
-Coaching is typically strategy-driven and solution-focused.
-Coaching is context-specific (ie. wellness coaching, performance enhancement, accountability)
-Coaching duration is typically shorter
Reaching out on your own behalf can be tough. Putting your health first takes effort. Placing your mental health right next to your physical health often takes a paradigm shift. We are here to help! Growth starts today and the small steps offer healing for tomorrow. Together, we can beat the stigma.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
― Viktor E. Frankl