Mental health counseling is a process which a mental health counselor and a client work together to explore problems and develop the skills and mindset needed to transcend challenges and regain emotional health. The length of the counseling process varies depending on the individual and the mental health disorder or distress. It can continue anywhere from a few weekly sessions to months or, sometimes, years of occasional sessions.
People seek counseling for many different things. It is for mental illness as well as for specific life stresses, such as a toxic workplace. Counseling happens individually, in one-on-one sessions with a counselor. Additionally, people can engage in couples therapy, family therapy, or group therapy.
Mental health counselors choose from a plethora of approaches when helping someone. Each approach has a particular focus. Mental health counseling methods can emphasize a person’s background, emotions, thoughts, behaviors, or a combination of these elements. Within each category are specific theoretical techniques. Below is a list of the most common approaches, or theories. The list is meant as a starting point for exploration.
Theories that emphasize background are:
- psychoanalysis (Freudian)
- Jungian analytical psychology
- individual (or Adlerian) psychology
Emotion-based theories include:
- person-centered (Rogerian) psychology
- existential psychology
- gestalt therapy
Among theories that focus on thoughts are:
- cognitive therapy
- rational-emotive behavioral therapy (REBT)
Approaches emphasizing behaviors involve:
- cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- dialectical-behavior therapy (DBT)
- acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- solution-focused brief therapy
Most counselors don’t practice one single approach but instead weave together principles of many to best fit individual clients.
Mental health counseling improves, and even saves, lives. Seeking counseling is a sign of courage and strength because it’s an important step in taking charge of mental health and creating the life that you deserve, a life worth living.