For people going through a tough time, admitting that they have a problem isn’t easy. They will say that they’re okay even when they’re already dying inside. The sad part is that if you know who this person is, you can tell if the response is a lie. As such, it’s crucial for you to offer help and encourage that person to seek the advice of a counselor.
At first, there will be resistance. Your friend will probably say no to your offer and tell you it’s unnecessary. These are some ways to help convince your friend that the help offered by Counseling Oak Park would be great.
It’s all about opening-up
Your friend might hesitate because they fear to delve deep into their emotions. There’s also fear of being unable to respond to questions. You have to make it clear that it’s not a test, and there’s no need to give the right answers to the questions. It’s all about sharing and opening up deep emotions. The counselor will listen and suspend judgment. The goal is to help people on the path to recovery. This approach might make your friend rethink the idea of visiting a counselor.
It’s a secret
It’s important to highlight that the discussions held inside the counseling room will stay there. Your friend doesn’t have to worry about the information getting leaked, unlike when sharing with another person within their social circle. It’s also a neutral third person who listens to the sharing and has no knowledge about the people involved. The objective point of view could help clear things up.
The counselor won’t force the advice given
Some people dislike the idea of someone telling them what to do. They will start to look for counter-arguments or even question the credibility of the person giving the advice. It’s one of the reasons why many people don’t want to see a counselor. They worry that they won’t like the advice given to them and will most likely argue against it. However, it needs to be clear that the counselor won’t force any advice. If the patient decides to accept it, it’s great. Otherwise, it’s ultimately the decision of the patient. There are even sessions when the counselor doesn’t give any advice at all. The role is to listen and see where it goes.
There’s nothing to lose
Seeking help from a counselor isn’t a terrible thing. It might sound scary at first, but it’s not. Counselors are trained professionals. They know the right approach. They also understand the varied needs of their patients. Some of them have been doing the job for many years and have experienced all sorts of patients.
It means that your friend has nothing to worry about. It will be a good experience. If not, your friend can always look for other counselors, or try other ways of solving the problem. Hopefully, you can help by suggesting to your friend that they should seek help from a counselor.
