According to the American Psychiatric Association’s annual poll, in 2024 43% of U.S. adults were feeling anxious, but only 24% of them sought professional help. There are many reasons why people don’t seek help – financial, societal, personal – but one is certainly the stigma and misunderstanding that speaking to a professional implies weakness.
When looking for professional help there is a variety of resources available and one of them includes counselors. April is National Counseling Awareness Month and in recognition of that we wanted to highlight the critical work they do, debunk some misunderstandings about what it means to speak with a counselor, and offer some places where you can find counselors in your day-to-day life.
Who qualifies as a counselor?
According to the American Counseling Association, “Professional counselors are graduate-level mental health service providers, trained to work with individuals, families and groups in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders.”
Where can one access a counselor?
You can find counselors all throughout your community in places like:
- K-12 Schools
- Universities
- Your workplace
- Government Offices
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Prisons
- Community Centers
- Private Practices
How can a counselor help me?
Counselors can help with a myriad of issues, offering all types of services. From helping with your holistic wellbeing to emotional healing or behavior modification, you can find a counselor who meets your specific needs. Their services can be used to help with your mental or emotional health, achieving your goals or overcoming current challenges in your life. Counselors are equipped to help you through a variety of scenarios, the first step is just to ask.
Do I have to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder to speak with a counselor?
While professional counselors are trained to diagnose and treat people with mental health illnesses, you do not have to have a pre-existing condition to speak with a counselor. Counselors can help serve as an objective third party if you want to talk through a challenge, plan for a career change, learn to manage stress, navigate relationships, heal from past trauma, improve your confidence and much more! Speaking with a counselor is a great first step on any mental health journey.
When will I know if I need to speak to a counselor?
There’s no right or wrong time to begin working with a counselor. If you are hesitant to find a counselor through your doctor, you can start by reaching out to see if your workplace or school has a counselor on staff available to you, then it’s just a conversation. You are in control of what you want out of a counselor.
What local resources do I have access to in Sacramento County?
Sacramento County offers a variety of local mental health resources depending on what you are looking for. From low-income options to support groups to professional counselors you can pick what is right for you. For a full list of these resources please visit the Sacramento County Department of Health Services.