The Increasing Need for Adult Counseling in Today's Stressful World
Counseling for Adults: Addressing the Rising Mental Health Crisis
Adulting has become increasingly overwhelming, leading to a surge in the demand for counseling services. Recent data from a CNN/Kaiser Family Foundation survey indicates that a significant majority of Americans are currently facing a mental health crisis. As this continues, it is important to recognize that there is help. The major source of stress for adults includes personal finances, political events, and inflation. When stress goes unmanaged, it can develop into deeper mental health problems such as anxiety and panic disorders, depression, substance and/or alcohol abuse, and conflicts within relationships at work, home and the community.
Overwhelming Consensus: 90% of US Adults Recognize the Crisis
According to the survey, a staggering nine out of 10 adults acknowledge the existence of a mental health crisis in the United States. More than half of the respondents identified mental health issues in children and teenagers as a crisis, along with severe mental illness in adults. Additionally, approximately half of adults reported experiencing a severe mental health crisis within their own families, necessitating in-person treatment for self-harm or threats.
Recognizing the Impact: Stress and its Consequences
As the mental health crisis persists, it is crucial to understand the detrimental effects of unmanaged stress. Personal finances, political events, and inflation are among the primary stressors for adults. When stress remains unaddressed, it can contribute to the development of more profound mental health problems, including anxiety disorders, panic disorders, depression, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and strained relationships at work and home.
Overcoming Obstacles: Seeking Mental Health Support
Many individuals face obstacles when attempting to seek mental health counseling. Common barriers include limited time due to work commitments, financial constraints, lack of insurance coverage, cultural or religious values, and fear or embarrassment associated with seeking care. Moreover, some individuals may hold biases or misconceptions about counselors and the therapeutic process. Understanding and addressing these challenges are essential to promote accessibility to counseling services.
What Is Counseling? How Can It Help?
If terms like "therapy" and "counseling" are unfamiliar to you, it's essential to gain clarity on their purpose and benefits. Counseling offers a valuable space to discuss day-to-day issues, resolve unresolved problems, vent emotions, achieve personal goals, explore relationships, and receive unbiased support. The American Counseling Association defines counseling as the application of mental health principles, addressing wellness, personal growth, career development, and pathology.
Counseling caters to a wide range of individuals, from those seeking personal growth and wellness to those grappling with more severe challenges. It employs various theoretical approaches, encompassing cognitive, affective, behavioral, and systemic interventions, which can be applied to individuals, groups, and families. The counseling process can be developmental or intervening, with counselors prioritizing clients' goals. Research shows that individuals who engage in mental health counseling experience a fivefold improvement compared to those who attempt to cope alone. While some may require long-term treatment, many find relief within weeks or months.
Seeking Help Beyond Traditional Counseling
For those unable to access traditional counseling, several alternatives exist. One notable resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which has introduced a three-digit dialing code: 988. This code connects callers to the lifeline and is available nationwide as of July 16, 2022. Early data shows that this alternative has been successful, with calls increasing by 45% in the first month compared to the previous year. It is important to note that this hotline is widely accepted as a favorable alternative to emergency services like 911, particularly among Black and LGBT adults who feel 911 might exacerbate the crisis.
Benefits of Mental Health Counseling for Adults
- relief from depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
- improved communication and interpersonal skills
- greater self-acceptance and self-esteem
- ability to change self-defeating behaviors/habits
- better expression and management of emotions, including anger
- increased confidence and decision-making skills
- ability to manage stress effectively
- improved problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities
- greater sense of self and purpose
- empowerment to grieve and promote self from victim to survivor of trauma
- ability to explore and change self defeating behaviors
- be free from thoughts of self harm, suicide, homicide, and negative self worth
- overcome obstacles that one may feel stuck
- improve relationships
- and more
Understanding Counseling and its Benefits
At Pediatric and Adult Behavioral Counseling, our counselors provide a compassionate and non-judgmental environment for processing thoughts and emotions. Through the latest psycho-education and clinical interventions, our counselors help establish and achieve therapeutic goals while respecting individual perspectives. Counseling offers an opportunity to navigate life's challenges with the support you need, enabling personal growth and overall well-being.
If you are interested in starting your journey to improve your overall mental wellness, please contact us to schedule your private and 100% confidential session with one of our professional counselors. Thank you and we look forward to helping you.