There should be no shame or stigma in seeking professional help when we are battling depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, self-harm, addiction or other issues due to ongoing relentless stress, overlooked life events, major life events, illness, loss of life, break-up/divorce, humiliating or disappointing experience or abuse. Our past experience made us who we are today. What happened will always be a part of us, but it should not define us. Don’t remain alone with the suffering. There are counselors that understand and who can help.

The job of a mental health therapist or a counselor is to provide tools that can help us cope with behavioral, mental and emotional problems. Sometimes we don’t know what to do with the “stuff” or adversities that life throws at us, and the help of a professional is necessary to help us find our strengths and take back control of our lives. 

We might wonder why we always make the same mistakes, date the same type of people or get ourselves into the same situations all the time. We may be tired of hearing friends or family giving us unsolicited advice. A mental health professional may be able to help us find the answers to these and many other questions. Contrary to popular belief, a mental health professional does not tell us what to do, but they may have the right questions to ask that will help us find the answers within ourselves. 

We go to a doctor to get a physical check-up every year and should also get a “check-up from the neck-up”. The mind is very powerful, and our mental health is as important as our physical health. Telling our friends or the bartender about our problems will not help. Seek professional help for peace of mind. Make talking to a therapist be a part of self-care. Everyone needs someone to listen to them with empathy and without judgments; a professional counselor will.

Maria (Majet) Reyes is a pre-licensed professional counselor with a Master of Science degree in Community and Trauma Counseling from Philadelphia University. Her therapeutic approach is humanistic, person centered and mindfulness-based. For appointments, call 267-460-6864 or visit Therapists.PsychologyToday.com/rms/292800.