Have you ever felt like you could benefit from going to counseling but are afraid to take that first step? Are you worried about what people might think of you if you go to counseling? It’s OK to feel this way! At different seasons of life, we all could use a supportive, listening ear. Perhaps you just had a baby and are struggling with depression, even though you tell yourself it should be a happy time. Maybe you just lost a parent, or a grandparent, or your best friend has been diagnosed with cancer. Maybe you were just diagnosed with cancer or another illness yourself. Or despite all your love and support, your child is simply struggling with friendships or in school. Jesus promised, “In this world you will have trouble.” That trouble can flow over into our lives, causing pain and heartache.

If you're reluctant to take that first step or worried about what happens during the counseling process, that's OK! In fact, it's normal to feel this way about something that is new to you. Setting up that first appointment can seem daunting if you don't know what to expect. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone you've just met may not be easy at first. Like with all things in life, it takes a little while to become comfortable with the process. Counselors are trained to help you through the process by getting to know you, listening to you, and working with you to set up a therapy plan that best fits you and your needs.

Another fear that people can have about counseling is that once they start the process, they will be in counseling for the rest of their lives. In truth, most counseling is short-term and can be based on the need to be supported through painful situations or life circumstances. Often, all that is needed are several sessions with a counselor in which they provide tips and coping skills to living a healthier life. Those skills are then applied in day-to-day situations

We encourage you to take that first step and give counseling a try. You will likely ask yourself, "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

Our Christian counselors at Christian Family Solutions are here to help those who are hurting. They have advanced training in a wide variety of specialty areas—for concerns like trauma, abuse, addiction, depression, anxiety, grief, marriage and family issues, anger issues, PTSD, and so on. Our counselors also know that true and lasting peace can only come from our relationship with our heavenly Father. Each year we serve thousands of hurting people—children through adults—at our clinic locations throughout the country.