Sage Counseling & Consulting
723 Twinridge Ln, North Chesterfield, VA 23235
(804) 447-4794
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Common Counseling Myths
Myth 1: If I am in counseling, there must be something wrong with me.
The truth is that most people would benefit from counseling. In fact, most people in the counseling field have their own counselor! Counseling is a way to empower yourself and to reach your goals.
Myth 2: A counselor will fix all my problems; I am not a part of the process.
The truth is you are the major component in counseling. You will set your own goals and your counselor will work with you to help you reach those goals. Your counselor will be an ally for you as you seek to empower and improve yourself.
Myth 3: I have to see a counselor who has experienced what I am going through.
The truth is a counselor has been highly trained and educated to help you through any of your challenges. A counselor uses many different techniques to help you achieve your goals or to help you work through a challenge, including empathy and sensitivity.
Myth 4: Everybody will know that I am seeing a counselor.
The truth is counselors are held accountable by ethical and state laws to keep your identity and information confidential.
Myth 5: Family and couples counselors always villainize an individual or individuals seeking therapy.
The truth is family and couples counselors are looking for behaviors that are not working in your relationship and actively seek to help you change those behaviors. The family or couple are viewed as parts of a whole and relationships are the focus.
Myth 6: Counseling costs too much money.
The truth is many insurance plans have behavioral health services included in their benefits. Many times, an individual will only have a co-pay. However, a person is encouraged to understand their mental health benefits prior to beginning counseling services. A person can call the member services number on the back of their insurance card to ascertain their behavioral health benefits. An individual without insurance can ask about a sliding fee scale to see if their counselor will offer a reduced rate for services.
Myth 7: I don't have time for counseling services.
The truth is many people only see their counselor for less than one hour weekly or bi-weekly. Some people may only want to see their counselor once a month. Counseling is not a "one-size-fits-all" situation. Many counselors now offer video sessions, allowing an individual more personal time because they no longer need to drive to see their counselor. Many people see their counselor on their lunch break!
Myth 8: I've gone to counseling before and it didn't help me. Counseling doesn't work for me.
The truth is that each counselor is different and finding the right counselor who you like and feel comfortable with is key. There are also many different methods of "treating" a person for the same thing. The counselor you went to before may not have used the right method for helping you. Think about how long it's been since you have seen a counselor. Innovative new techniques may be available that may help you.