CB: How Counselling has Benefitted me Thus Far

I have grown so much!!!

My counsellor told me so 😝

And she’s known me since circa 2012.

Haha but on a real, counselling has helped me so much. I have learned infinitely more about myself and I am still learning.

First off, I’ve learned counselling does not only need to be for when you are going through a traumatic situation e.g. ending of an abusive relationship. In my opinion, life is a trauma rollercoaster, and we are all on for the ride. Therefore, we all could benefit from counselling. Some people don’t even really know who they are, let alone if they need counselling.

Secondly, F the stigma!! You are not “mentally ill”, “a freak”, or “sick” if you get counselling. In fact, you would be classed as very well. Think of it in physical terms: we are expected – and even encouraged – to get regular check-ups with our doctors. So why not when it comes to our mental health? I’ve met people who cannot formulate their emotions into legible sentences. Think about if this person was getting regular “check-ups” with their counsellor, they’d probably not only be able to be verbal about their feelings, but to feel more comfortable in their feelings too.

Also, I have become so much more emotionally intelligent. I used to think in order to be strong, you couldn’t show emotions and had to be “cold”. Now I know it’s the opposite I am so much stronger for knowing my limits and not only being vocal about my feelings, but truly feeling them. It’s hard, but you learn so much about yourself in those periods.

And because of the previous point, I also know that I could do with being a bit more emotionally mature. I read somewhere that our emotional age can be stunted at the age of our trauma. For me, I’d say I still need some healing from the age of 5 up to the age of 12. I can see the need for this in situations when someone corrects or critiques me – I’m still learning how to take this better, but I usually just revert back to my childlike self and shutdown.

There are so much more benefits I’ve experienced on my counselling journey. The benefits are priceless. I really believe if more people were able to access this service, there’d be much less mental health difficulties globally.

I know that for as long as I can afford this “luxury” (I wish it wasn’t deemed as such a luxury) I will keep having counselling sessions, and learning and revealing more of myself.

What are your thoughts on counselling? Would you attend? Are you worried about what people may think of you if you did go? F what people think, you deserve to live this life with the best you!