The wars, natural disasters, or crises that have occurred throughout the history of civilization have left negative effects on individuals' psychology. Additionally, the rapidly changing reality of life today causes individuals to fall into despair and unhappiness. Psychological problems arise in individuals due to many different factors. Lack of awareness of one’s own potential, economic problems, and societal pressure can all contribute to psychological issues.
While an individual may overcome mild psychological problems by seeking advice from others or within themselves, they may find themselves unable to resolve more serious issues. Therefore, seeking psychological counseling services can help resolve problems with a professional perspective.
The source of psychological problems lies in the subconscious. When a person is unable to cope with psychological problems, numerous negative situations can arise, such as eating disorders, sexual disinterest, and failure to fulfill responsibilities. In such cases, it will not be enough for the person to share their psychological problems with their close ones. When someone cannot cope with their problems, they must seek psychological counseling.
Psychological counseling centers typically offer treatment and therapy methods for problems such as individual therapy, family and couple therapy, family counseling, adolescent therapy, sexual dysfunction, self-harm, or eating disorders. The psychologist to be consulted must have experience in dealing with the specific problem and possess expertise in that area. Also, psychological counseling services should primarily establish a sense of trust, and communication between the therapist and client should be strong.
What Is Psychological Counseling?
Psychology is closely related and proportional to how a person reflects their feelings and thoughts in their behavior. In modern times, individuals living within society often struggle to control their behavior and make rational decisions. As a result, psychological counseling becomes inevitable. It should be remembered that the psychotherapy process is closely related to learning and understanding.
The therapeutic process in a social context is carried out between the client and the counselor. In the field of psychology, therapies are not primarily designed to immediately solve the problem but are built on the use of techniques and methods to address the issue at hand.
Why Should You Seek Psychological Counseling?
People in the modern era are facing many different situations. The conflict between social living conditions and human values and questioning, the increased effort required due to population growth, and the presence of stress factors and obligations in individuals’ life conditions lead to various psychological problems. In this context, psychological counseling is needed to ensure that the decision-making mechanism works prudently and rationally, for individuals to better understand themselves and others, and to keep communication channels active and healthy.
From an existential point of view, individuals have the ability and capacity to cope with their problems. However, it can sometimes be very difficult for people to be aware of this power and take the right steps at the right time. Psychological counseling services are exactly where they should be in human life.
The source of problems in family relationships, work, school, or intimate relationships is linked to communication, and more importantly, to a person's psychology. Therefore, seeking help from psychologists may be necessary to map out, chart, and uncover the source of problems using different techniques and methods.
How Does the Psychological Counseling Process Proceed?
An individual who decides to seek psychological support should first choose a psychologist who can solve the problem in the healthiest way possible. During this selection process, individuals often seek psychologists based on recommendations from people around them. However, it should be remembered that not every problem fits every psychologist’s area of expertise. After a few trial-and-error sessions, you can continue the counseling process with an expert with whom you can establish the most effective communication.
What Is the Purpose of Psychological Counseling?
The purpose of psychological counseling is not to directly solve the client’s problems. Instead, it contributes to helping the client effectively manage their problems and learn new solutions. Every new problem in an individual’s life brings an opportunity to learn new ways of solving issues.
Based on the above, the goals of psychological counseling can be summarized as follows:
- Helping clients manage their problems effectively
- Helping clients get to know themselves better
- Helping clients to assist themselves on their life journey
What Should Be Ensured During the Therapy Process in Psychological Counseling?
- Provide a peaceful environment as far away from negative influences as possible
- Respect the privacy of the client
- Respect the client’s physiological and biological characteristics
- Avoid judgmental attitudes and behaviors
- Maintain boundaries between the counselor and the client
There are some key points that the individual seeking psychological counseling should be aware of. Along with a set of respect and ethical rules, the counseling program established by the counselor must be followed.
