Why is counselling so frequently adivsed on mn?

[stripedsox]

I've not come across this with people I know, in rl. I'm curious it seems to be the go to advice on here.
I understand when when someone has gone through trauma, mental health [I'm bi polar], abuse you get the picture but it seems to be for so many things now.

Because the way we see mental health is more socially acceptable?

Because we catastrophise normal events
You can't be sad about a situation you have depression
You can't be anxious you have anxiety
You can't have a cough, cold or flu, you need a Dr, ring 111
We dramatise so much nowadays

I understand that, but it seems for things like relationship break ups and minor things. 'My friend is ignoring by text, I'm so upset' response 'you need counselling to help you come to terms with your feelings' .Someone is upset but surely common sense should come into play.sometimes.

Ihave - thank you, you have said just what I think, was expecting a flaming for being 'so heartless' but yes you are right. It's all drama and social media stuff attention seeking 'you alright hun?' 'I don't want to talk about it' 🙄

I always find it amazing how people think others can afford counselling for every little gripe.

Even talking matters doesn't help as half the time you're speaking to people in training reading through a flow chart

I see it advised on here where people are letting others shit all over them and its obvious they've had a very difficult background and its affecting their every day life, for instance they keep getting into abusive relationship again and again, or they are putting themselves through situations with family where others would walk away. Toxic engrained patterns from childhood are really difficult to break on your own. It's also obvious that some posters are complaining about one minor issue and cant see the much wider issue (eg my husband doesnt pick up his socks, but actually he is hitting her)

Because a lot of people are going to therapy just for mental health maintenance which i think is a good thing. It doesn’t need to be for trauma or a big life changing event. Therapy helps us look at why we might react to certain situations in certain ways. Normally linked to our childhood experiences. I find it fascinating

I wonder that as well @SliceOfCakeCupOfTea

It isn’t cheap, which does make me cynical about the whole thing.

Because people have had a positive experience with it? Doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone, but generally speaking, if something has been life changing for you, you might share that experience with others.

Personally I found it very helpful and couldn’t care less if someone thinks I was just ‘dramatising’ my trauma.

I agree with you - and I say that as someone who has been in counselling and who has diagnosed MH issues.

I found the counselling quite helpful but it was also free at university - I'm not sure I'd have been happy to pay £100 odd a session for it, in all honesty.

In cases like this I think the person recommending counselling is suggesting that the person may be better able to cope with their (what may be perceived as relatively mundane/minor/everyday) problems if they attended counselling to work out why they are so effected by them in the first place, and/or develop better techniques to cope.

I guess it's better than expecting someone to brush their problems under the carpet, or to soldier on and maintain a stiff upper lip. I'm glad we are waving goodbye to the old ways of 'chin up mate', and slowly finding ways to talk about problems, issues or even just our daily lives. It's good that we seek greater understanding of ourselves and why we think/feel the things we do.

Maybe counselling and getting things out in the open (in a confidential, safe environment) has saved some people from heading down a destructive path, or from sadness, or self-harm. Which can only be a good thing.

It's not about dramatizing trauma pop my pp were refering to trivia things as I explained about the text message. Counselling can and does help people which is good and can be positive. I just don't understand why it is advised so much on here esp. as a pp pointed out it can be expensive, not everyone can afford it and there are long waitting lists for nhs.

Everyone can benefit from counselling. It doesn't have to be about trauma or a catastrophe or a diagnosed mental health condition.
It is extremely helpful to have someone completely impartial to discuss life events and challenging situations. It regulates emotional health the same way going to the gym can regulate physical health. It's financially out of reach for many people which is a shame, but it's someting that the majority of people, if not everyone, could benefit from.

It's when people suggest it for those who make it clear they have low incomes.

It's a lazy suggestion and often makes people feel shitter. Like the solution to all their problems is blocked by a paywall, happiness is for the rich etc.

Sometimes counselling is beneficial for people.

Sometimes it isn't.

I don't think I've ever seen it suggested for people upset because their friend was ignoring their text.

I find it incredibly helpful.
If you find a good counsellor they can help you break out of rigid ways of thinking, see things from a different perspective, understand why you are struggling with something others would find easy.

I see having a good counsellor as part of maintaining a healthy life now - like dentists appointments and exercise and healthy eating.

work paid originally (we have an employee support scheme) and since then I have kept her on, using her more when life is particularly tricky (I have an abusive ex who still makes life stressful)

i realise not everyone can afford it, but to me it is something I prioritize financially now

This is the reason

Normal human emotions are pathologised

Its the exact opposite to another poster claims - that talking about MH is more socially acceptable, it isnt. Having human emotions is not socially acceptable, you need to get rid of those emotions, or re frame them by seeking counselling or labelling it with something so that its officially something

Rather than, 'Im just a bit flat sometimes, or I worry about things sometimes'.

I think it's advised on here so much because people post about issues and challenges they are experiencing in their lives. They are often distressed and wanting support. Those issues and challenges are quite often complex (as are their feelings/ reactions to them), and can't be resolved by a simple answer on an online forum.

What a lot of people posting here are actually looking for is emotional support to work through things and make decisions in their lives. They reach out here because it's free and simple to do, but really the level of support that would actually be helpful can't be provided by strangers online, they need to talk it through with someone impartial (e.g. a counsellor) and work things out for themselves.

Lots of large employers (eg public sector) fund at least some counselling for staff (on any level of income )

"I just don't understand why it is advised so much on here esp. as a pp pointed out it can be expensive, not everyone can afford it and there are long waitting lists for nhs."

It doesn't have to be that expensive. Some people can get it free through work more easily than on the NHS. When I paid, it was the equivalent of dinner and drinks out with a friend, but with the certainty that I'd have a listening ear. I'd go back to it if I could find that particular therapist online. You don't have to be mentally ill to benefit from counselling!

We watch too much American TV

Yes I agree. I have MH diagnoses but Im not 'cured' or 'fixed' by the counselling Ive had, some of which has been fantastic and really good, although she seemed a bit of a one off compared to the others Ive had

I think I also see many comments where people assume that having therapy or counselling is a cure all for MH issues and they cant comprehend that its not going to mean necessarily that someone doesnt suffer from depression any more, or other MH issues.

Because it can be incredibly helpful if you find the right therapist, and type of therapy that suits you.