Perhaps you are considering therapy with a Chicago counselor but you are not sure exactly how to pursue it or where to even begin. Maybe you think your issues are not important enough for counseling in Chicago.  There are several common reasons why people seek counseling and each of them is deeply personal. Whatever reason you may have to start the process is good enough.

Additionally, everyone’s counseling process will vary depending on their needs. In fact, while in counseling, some may find the reason they first decided to seek help may change. Some counseling may be short-term and focus on certain topics. Other times, counseling can result in years-long processes. However, no matter the reason, some common factors have gotten people to reach out for a therapy session. Below we can explore some of those:

Because you’re navigating some big life changes

One reason people go to therapy is due to major life changes. Perhaps someone has just moved to a big city like Chicago. Therapists in Chicago can often help people navigate big moves into the city that can often be a difficult transition.

Examining the anxiety that may come from moving to a big city is a common topic we see: Additionally, other changes are quite common for people seeking counseling: ending a relationship, transitioning from school to full-time work, deciding to have a child. All of these life changes can bring about big troves of emotions and often leave people feeling resourceless. Counseling can help you feel like you have the tools to navigate hard processes such as these.

Because you are working through some tough grief

Perhaps you have experienced the recent loss of a loved one, a close friendship, or a job. Navigating loss can impact your daily life, and processing in therapy can be beneficial to overcoming how that loss impedes you.

For instance, you may find yourself feeling as if you are moving in circles as you progress through the grieving process – this circular pattern is something a counselor can help you adjust. While counseling will not eliminate the struggles that come with the grieving process, what it will do is provide you with tools to navigate through the difficult process of grief so that you aren’t emotionally buried beneath it.

Because there are parts of your identity you need to consider and explore

A Chicago counselor can also help you navigate self-identity, self-exploration, and discovery. Perhaps you want to learn more about yourself? Maybe your likes and dislikes are changing, and you need a place to process these changes? Seeking counseling may be a first step in helping you explore new versions of yourself that you had not previously discovered. All parts of your identity can be examined with your counselor in a safe and inclusive environment.

Because you’re thinking of changing careers

Similar to self-exploration, you may find yourself deciding to switch careers at some point in life and want to find a Chicago counselor to further explore that journey. Your Chicago Counselor will be able to help you navigate what a career change could mean for your life and identify what you might be able to glean from your new career options. With your Chicago counselor, you can examine your passions and skill sets and, thus, move closer to identifying what jobs may best intersect all of these factors.

Because you’re having struggles in your relationships

Perhaps you are having a difficult time communicating with your partner? Or you may have recently experienced a breakup? Sometimes your partner can exemplify a lapse in communication that you did not know you needed. Other times a breakup can leave you feeling as if your life is falling apart.

Perhaps you are not happy in your relationship, but you are not able to articulate what you need from your partner. You also may not have feedback for your partner, but you would like skills to help with future communication. Whatever the relationship issue, seeking counseling may allow you to better explore this difficult time without feeling depleted.

Because you have trouble setting boundaries with others

For some, seeking a Chicago counselor is rooted in a need for boundary-setting with others around them. You may find yourself not being able to tell others you care about when you do not want to do something for them. Perhaps you experience guilt when you have been expected or asked to extend yourself past what you feel comfortable doing.

Your counselor will be able to help you identify ways and places to create boundaries that may greatly benefit you and your relationships. Having good boundaries with those around you helps ensure that you are able to engage with others in a way that feels safe for you and nurtures healthy relationship habits.

Because you just feel like something is “off”

Experiencing depression, anxiety, impactful trauma, and other major life events can heavily result in changes in your mood. As such, mood changes can lead to difficulty engaging with people and things you once enjoyed.

You may find it more difficult to be in social environments or even have some increased irritability toward those you once enjoyed deeply. These changes in mood are common reasons to seek therapy. A Chicago counselor can help you explore topics such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other significant mood shifts. In order to best manage and improve your mood, you can seek a counselor and start the process of learning more about yourself.

How can I find a therapist?

If you’ve read these common reasons and find yourself feeling as if some of them may pertain to you, perhaps counseling is a good idea for you! With your own self-reflection and a willingness to make progress, counseling can help you discover much more about yourself and your needs to make that progress a reality.

At Tandem Psychology, we have several competent therapists who can help you get started or continue on your journey with counseling. Whether it be because of a reason listed above or a different topic, our therapists are here to help you get through your current issues and obstacles. There is no need to wait, we have therapists with openings today!

This blog is made for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. The information in this blog is not intended to (1) replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified licensed health care provider, (2) create or establish a provider-patient relationship, or (3) create a duty for us to follow up with you.