3 Types of Counseling and How They Differ
For many, the term “counseling” often means visiting a mental health professional in order to cope with various disorders and difficult life situations. But while this may be the most commonly understood meaning of the word, the truth is that it extends far beyond just this form. To give you a better idea of the scope of support available to you, let’s take a closer look at three types of counseling and how they differ.
1. You can receive mental health support through therapy.
Mental health counseling or therapy, often used interchangeably, helps individuals receive support with the different types of mental health disorders they may be coping with. Therapy is also another umbrella term as you can receive a host of therapies designed to target your specific needs. For example, a couple who’s having issues in their marriage can turn to couple’s counseling, while those dealing with severe phobias or anxiety may enlist the help of exposure therapy.
The good news? If you are facing any of these problems, finding a therapist is easy in today’s digital world. Platforms like With Therapy can offer you personalized therapist matches by asking you a few questions about your individual concerns and therapy and therapist preferences, considering which forms of treatment will be most impactful, and creating an individualized list of therapists based on those responses. No matter whether you’re experiencing a major life development like cancer, having issues with a lack of motivation and other symptoms, or are attempting to work through past trauma and neglect, you can find the right therapist for you to better cope with your situation and treat any underlying mental health disorders.
2. Young people can move forward successfully with college counseling.
Counseling isn’t just about mental illness. You can also find support for certain life situations like moving on to higher education. College counseling helps seniors in high school and similar groups get the support they need to find the right college, deal with financial aspects of college like financial aid and scholarships, and move through the college application process with ease with essay editing services and SAT prep. Better yet, a college counselor can help you identify your strengths, ambitions, and aspirations to identify the right schools you should be applying to. When it comes to meeting deadlines and getting items like transcripts needed in the application process, most young people could use support during the college admissions process. If college is in your future, this is another area of support you can receive with a counselor dedicated to college admissions.
3. Find the right career path for you with career counseling.
Career counseling and coaching is a form of counseling designed to help job seekers cultivate the right skills and take the necessary steps to work towards their desired role. This may include administering personality tests to identify prospective career paths, creating a list of educational and work goals that will be needed in order to craft the perfect resume that will attract employers, and resume and interview support so that applicants can stand out from the competition (especially in the age of applicant tracking systems). Put simply, if there’s a specific role you want to reach, a career counselor can help you get there.
Although mental health is certainly one area of focus in counseling, it isn’t the only form of support that you can receive when you need the help of an expert. Whether you’re considering college as a next step in life or looking to further your career, take a look at the three different forms of counseling above to gain some insight into how many options you have at your disposal when you need professional assistance.
