The Effectiveness of Counseling

I regularly get a lot of inquiries asking if counseling is effective (short answer: YES!). The next question I regularly get is what makes it effective (short answer: the working alliance). Let me unpack a bit of this for you.

First, it is important to note that counseling (also called psychotherapy or talk therapy) has a very large amount of research evidence collected over 100 years that shows approximately 80% of people who attend counseling are significantly better off than those who do not. These types of results are really strong and have been shown across issues discussed in counseling. What this means is there is hope for you!

Here is a little bit of information about the process as too many people have seen TVs shows and movies and gotten the wrong impression. Counseling is more than simply talking and venting about your problems. While this can make you feel good for a little while, it usually does not help you make more meaningful and longer-term change.

The counseling process involves making changes in the ways you feel, think, and behave. You may not know the exact changes you want to make or how about doing that. That is ok, and your counselor will work together to make a plan to get to where you want to be in life. Counseling is typically time-limited, and you always want to make sure you are working towards a goal during your time together. A lot of counselors specialize in various theories and treatment approaches. For example, we at Sequoia Counseling Group, specialize in empirically backed approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and feedback informed treatment.

To a large degree, a successful treatment outcome depends on the amount of energy and effort you make as well as making sure we are working collaboratively. Just as if you were learning a new language or working out, improving your mental well-being requires practicing the changes we agree upon in your everyday life.

So don’t wait if you are feeling you need help. Reach out for a complementary consultation to see if we would be a good match for you.