| The Benefits and Risks of Counseling As with any powerful treatment, there are some risks as well as many benefits with counseling. You should think about both the benefits and risks when making any treatment decisions. For example, in counseling, there is a risk that clients will, for a time, have uncomfortable levels of sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness, helplessness, or other negative feelings. Clients may recall unpleasant memories. These feelings or memories may bother a client at work or in school. In addition, some people in your community may mistakenly view anyone in counseling as weak, or perhaps as seriously disturbed or even dangerous. Also, clients in counseling may have problems with people important to them. Family secrets may be told. Counseling may disrupt a marital relationship and sometimes may even lead to a divorce. Sometimes, too, a client’ s problems may temporarily worsen after the beginning of treatment. Most of these risks are to be expected when people are making important changes in their lives. Finally, even with our best efforts, there is a risk that counseling may not work out well for you. While you consider these risks, you should know also that the benefits of counseling have been shown by scientists in hundreds of well-designed research studies. People who are depressed may find their mood lifting. Others may no longer feel afraid, angry, or anxious. In counseling, people have a chance to talk things out fully until their feelings are relieved or the problems are solved. Clients’ relationships and coping skills may improve greatly. They may get more satisfaction out of social and family relationships. Their personal goals and values may become clearer. They may grow in many directions—as persons, in their close relationships, in their work or schooling, and in the ability to enjoy their lives. I do not take on clients I do not think I can help. Therefore, I will enter our relationship with optimism about our progress. |
| Sometimes all we need is a listening ear, a helping hand and a caring heart to find balance in our lives. |
| Terry McVannel Erwin, Ph.D. Dr. Erwin is a General Practitioner With a Special Interest in Working with Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Certified Hypnotherapist Qualified Supervisor, Florida National Certified Counselor #78891 Licensed Mental Health Counselor #MH8591 |
| HOME DR. ERWIN'S SPECIALTIES IS COUNSELING RIGHT FOR YOU? PERSONAL STATEMENT ABOUT COUNSELING ABOUT HYPNOTHERAPY COST OF SERVICES CONTACT DR. ERWIN PLEDGE TO LGBT CLIENTS AFFIRMATIONS AND MORE PAPERWORK FOR NEW CLIENTS DIRECTIONS TO OUR OFFICE 2506 Del Prado Boulevard South Cape Coral, FL 33904-4750 Ph. (239) 242-0545 TErwin1@yahoo.com MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED Don't have insurance? We offer limited-session sliding scale fees that are comparable to insurance co-pays! Call today for more information! |
