Barriers To Starting Counselling: What Are They And How To Move Past Them

It can be daunting to think about beginning counselling, and even more intimidating when your appointment is booked and you’re getting ready to head out the door. It’s normal to have the jitters the first few (or even more) sessions. Not only are you meeting a stranger, but there’s an expectation that you’re going to open up to this stranger and talk about things that may make you feel vulnerable. With all these unknowns swirling in your head, we wanted to break down some of the hesitations and barriers to beginning counselling and provide guidance on how to overcome them.

I’m not comfortable opening up to someone I don’t know.

It’s important to remember that it is normal to feel this way and that you’re in control of when and how you share. It may take some time to develop trust with your counsellor so that you’re able to open up to them comfortably. You may begin seeing a counsellor and decide they’re not a good fit and have to try someone else. The fact that you’re trying is something you should be extremely proud of!

What if I have a hard time opening up?

While you’re figuring out your rhythm with counselling, what’s important is that you’re patient with yourself and the process. Try not to be too critical of yourself if it takes you longer than you hoped to open up fully. Know that it’s okay to have off days where talking about challenging subjects isn’t in the cards for you that day. You will have days that you feel like you reached your goals and days that you don’t, and that’s all to be expected.

I’m too busy to go to counselling.

It can also be overwhelming to think about integrating counselling into our already jam-packed schedules. Fortunately, many therapists offer virtual sessions which makes it easy to schedule an appointment during a time that works for you and not have to worry about the commute.

Being vulnerable is scary.

Opening up and sharing your thoughts with your therapist can feel vulnerable. But with time, it can also make you feel empowered. Sharing insecurities, doubts and anxieties can often take the power away from troubling thoughts. You will likely find that the more you talk about difficult subjects, the easier it becomes.

I feel weak needing to talk to a therapist.

Unfortunately there are still some negative stigmas associated with going to counselling. It’s important to remember that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. The saying “healthy mind, healthy body” is very true – the more you are able to nourish your mind, the healthier you and your body will feel. Know that by going to counselling you are making a positive choice for your overall well-being and that it takes strength and self-awareness to come to this conclusion. You should be extremely proud of yourself!

Ready to give counselling a try?

Visit our team page to read our counsellors professional profiles. Each of our masters level counsellors offer a free 30 minute consultation to see if they may be a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can access our booking page directly .

We’re always happy to help clients find the best fit counsellor for them. Our admin team can often suggest a counsellor for you based upon your unique needs. We can be reached at (250) 300-6860 or at hello@clarityokanagan.com.