Before you jump into counseling, here are four considerations:

1. Have you talked to a trusted person in your life about this issue?

Having someone besides your counselor can be a very helpful relationship to have as a resource. Sometimes you just need someone to hear you say your thoughts out loud. Other times, having a friend in your corner can be extremely comforting. Other times, a trusted person in your life has a unique window into your experience and can help you greatly!

2. Do you know what you would like to get out of counseling? In other words, what do you hope will be different when you are done with counseling?

Counseling does not last forever. Knowing on the front end what you hope to be different can help prioritize your time in counseling. Regardless of if you start counseling, knowing what would be different about your problem is an important first step to getting to resolution!

3. How much money are you willing to invest in your counseling?

The going rate for a counselor in San Diego at the time of this original posting is $160/50 minutes. The first 4 sessions of counseling are generally about getting to know you, your feelings and your problem. By session 5 you usually roll up your sleeves and start working on your problem. If you don’t know how many sessions to start with, try committing to 10 sessions then re-evaluate after 10 sessions with your counselor how many more sessions you could benefit from.

4. Do you have time in your schedule for 1-hour counseling appointments + time to process what was discussed in those appointments + travel time to and from appointments + time for homework outside of appointments?

You will get out of counseling what you put into it. If counseling is another commitment that you are juggling each week, you may not get the most out of counseling. Sometimes, you can pause a commitment as you seek to foster your mental health so that you get what you need faster. Other facets of counseling like homework, commuting to/from counseling and your need to process with yourself, others, the Lord about what is discussed are all frequently overlooked when considering starting counseling.

If you answered no, to any of these questions, that does not mean that you couldn’t engage in counseling, but that these considerations are often overlooked before counseling is considered. 

If you aren’t sure if now is the best time for counseling, request a call and we can talk about your situation and its needs.

©Grayson Wallen 2021. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions Apply.

Disclaimer: Grayson’s credentials are noted in the footer below. This blog post is not intended to replace therapy or counseling services. While this post may represent psychoeducational content that brings clarity or helps you personally, Grayson encourages you to process your findings and concerns with your mental health counselor and/or other trusted people in your life. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about the content of this post, or want to start counseling please contact Grayson directly.

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One Last Note: The content of this post is Grayson's work unless otherwise noted/cited. The content of this blog post is not representative of the opinions of Grayson’s past or present places of employment, partners, board members, employees, contractors, or Grayson's Supervisor(s).