Counseling is an active process between you and a mental health professional who has a counseling license. It involves collaborative communication with a goal to improve what you’re experiencing that’s causing the discomfort in your life. Counseling seeks to enhance and strengthen a person’s coping skills and self-esteem to encourage optimal mental health.
What Is a Counselor?
A counselor is a professional whose work focuses on helping people care for their mental health.
Counselor and therapist are terms often used interchangeably to mean the same type of professional. A Counselor more often denotes a specific type of professional license or credentialing.
When searching for a counselor, you’ll no doubt come across several different types of credentials.
Avant-Garde Counseling and Coaching Center believes it’s imperative to seek help from a professional who is a:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Psychologist (LP)
If you are seeking counseling services, credentials like these can come with the peace of mind that a governing board is monitoring this professionals’ work, and holding him/her to a high ethical standard.
What Issues Can I See A Counselor For?
The decision to do preliminary research on what to expect in counseling speaks volumes about your resiliency.
Meeting with a counselor can help clear the mind, set personal or professional goals, or navigate an especially difficult time in your life. As part of the Dallas – Fort Worth counseling community, Avant-Garde Counseling & Coaching Center expertly supports individuals on their journey to optimal mental health practices who are:
- Experiencing depression
- Having trouble concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Frequently tired
- Experiencing racing thoughts
- Easily angered
- Feeling anxious
- Self-harming
- Experiencing confusion
- Withdrawn/Isolated from others
- Experiencing intimacy issues
- Changing careers
When Should I Seek Counseling?
Avant-Garde Counseling & Coaching Center supports adults, teenagers and children with a variety of mental health concerns with the goal of improving their quality of life.
The decision to begin counseling is a deeply personal choice that no one else can make for you. Truly the answer to this question is a person can begin to see a counselor at any time. Waiting for a problem, or mental health crisis to occur is not necessary.
Our professional counselors offer caring, expert support that is often much needed during stressful or emotionally draining moments in life. Be patient with yourself, do some research, ask lots of questions – of yourself and potential counselors. If you can answer yes, that sounds like me to any of the following statements, contact us to set up a free consultation over the phone.
- My sleeping habits have changed recently (I am sleeping too much, too little, or having trouble falling asleep.
- I often find myself forgetting routine tasks, personal items, or zoning out during the day.
- My brain is constantly running and I am on edge most of the day.
Is It Normal To Be Nervous About Beginning Counseling?
Making the decision to seek counseling is a big, courageous, step. It is completely normal to be apprehensive or worried about starting session with a counselor or therapist. And guess what? Our counselors expect it.
Many of us have a natural fear of the unknown, especially when there are so many unanswered questions. Our professionals create a space to provide a care-full, supportive, and comfortable environment from the beginning to help ease your mind.
What Do I Say To A Counselor?
It can be a relief to talk to someone who can connect emotionally to a mental health concern you may be having. At the same time, beginning this connection with a new counselor may be intimidating, even anxiety provoking. To answer this question directly – you don’t have to say anything.
Counseling is a collaborative process between counselor and client. Honesty is most appreciated. If you’re unsure of what to say, or where to start – start right there! I am not really sure what I should say to you, as my new counselor. Here are some questions you also may consider:
- Do you have experience working with other individuals who have concerns like mine?
- How do you run counseling sessions?
- What do you expect of me, as your client?
- What can I do between now and the next session that may help me?
- What can I expect to happen during the first counseling session?
How Long Does Counseling Take?
Let’s first make the point that counseling is completely voluntary. Therefore, Avant-Garde Counseling & Coaching Center professionals work with you to determine how often and how long you’d like to participate.
Typically, the more diligent you are with implementing strategies and insights gained during the counseling process, the more direct the impact on goal accomplishment.
What Does Avant-Garde Counseling and Coaching Specialize In?
Avant-Garde Counseling and Coaching Center offers professional and confidential therapy services for ADHD, anxiety, depression and adjustment disorders to children, adolescents, parents, and spouses.
We specialize in challenges with:
- ADHD
- Marriage or Relationship Conflict
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Parenting
- Teen & Young Adult Transition
How Do we Approach Counseling?
We are proactive therapists with an emphasis on finding solutions to help individuals feel empowered. We want you to develop goals and implement positive changes. While addressing difficulties you may be having, we help you identify and employ your strengths, internal resources, and positive attributes.
We focus on your strengths and abilities rather than weaknesses. We see your challenges in life as opportunities to grow and choose the path you want to take.
Because every client’s needs differ, we will select complementary therapeutic interventions tailored to your current difficulties and feedback. You and your therapist will develop a plan for exploring and addressing ongoing issues related to ADHD, anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, and interpersonal conflicts.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying the problems a client is having, examining the causes of these difficulties, and generating alternative approaches to break problematic cycles. CBT helps people reframe and retrain their thought processes while encouraging practical new ways of thinking and behaving.
Play Therapy
Play Therapy provides a healing process for children to express their experiences and feelings through their natural language of play. This method gives children a safe, non-threatening way to share what they are feeling. Children learn to communicate with others, modify behaviors, develop problem-solving skills, express feelings, and develop healthy boundaries.