We all know life is full of ups and downs. When things are going our way, we feel good. But when life becomes unpredictable and throws us a curveball, we don’t always know how to respond. Some situations feel out of our control and our ability to cope with our circumstances gets stretched to the limit. At that point we begin to feel anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed. That’s when help and support from a mental health counselor can be a tremendous lifeline.
People come to counseling for a variety of reasons. Some people need help with a specific problem and need a few sessions to work through them. While others prefer a longer approach and are looking for someone to walk through a larger portion of their life transition with them. Some people choose counseling to deal with the people in their lives that would never step foot in a counselor’s office. Some choose counseling for help with grief or loss, while others choose counseling for feelings of lack or insecurity. Any reason whatsoever that causes unhappiness or distress is a perfect reason to reach out and set up an appointment for yourself.
Counseling has played a vital role in my own life. Transitioning into a new role as a divorced dad in my twenties was a difficult thing to navigate. I went to several different counselors before I found the right one. And once I found Bill, I saw him for many years. I was struggling with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues and Bill’s help changed the course of my life from there forward. Having his expertise and guidance in a private space where I could openly share my thoughts and feelings, without fear of judgment, gave me the confidence and clarity that was lacking for a long time.
Now, as a counselor myself, I strive to give my clients the same comfort and hope for their future that I felt while seeing Bill so many years ago. I tell all my clients that their therapy is not about me–it’s about you! If I am not the right fit for you, then I will do anything I can to help you find the right counselor for you.
If you are even considering counseling, then I hope you can feel proud of yourself. Just the act of reaching out for help is a huge accomplishment and should be celebrated. All too often, we are hard on ourselves, and we don’t believe we are doing enough. The process of change and adjustment is not easy, and it takes courage to be vulnerable and face the issues we have in our lives.
Seeking counseling is nothing to be ashamed of! I have been to many counselors through the years and for many different reasons. For instance, my wife and I have sought out counseling for our relationship and it helped tremendously. Life is already stressful enough, but when you throw a blended family all together in one household, things can get challenging. Also, couples that fall in love with one another assume they should never have any conflict. There is nothing further from the truth. Conflict is unavoidable and doesn’t mean anything is wrong with the relationship or either person. I work with couples to negotiate what it is they want out of the relationship and what they each want their lives to look like.
I can wholeheartedly state that the staff at Illume Wellness Group is passionate about helping you get where you want to go. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for every single person that walks through the door. Instead, we meet each individual where you are currently at in life, and we walk beside you along the way. Feeling better often involves changes in the way we think and feel about our current experience, and counseling gives you that chance to reflect and wrestle with how you think and feel.
Nothing has changed my life–and the lives of my immediate family members–more than counseling. I am humbled and honored to give back to the profession that has shaped me so much. That is why I am so humbled and honored to join Nicole Merchant and the other staff at Illume to bring a holistic approach to healing in St. Joseph County, MI.
No matter what life offers for you, I wish you all the joy and happiness that is possible. If you need to talk with someone, please don’t hesitate to give Illume Wellness Group a call. We are all honored to help along the way.
Peace and Love,
Travis