Counselor, therapist, life coach, psychologist... There are a lot of different roles to guide us and help us navigate transitions or tough times in life. Or even if we are not having a tough time, they can help us feel happier, more successful and more connected if we just don't feel life is everything we want it to be right now.
If I had a magic wand, one of the things I would do (because you know I can't commit to just one!) is completely erase any stigma associated with seeing a counselor.
You may have heard me say in the office “If seeing a counselor wasn’t cool, all of Hollywood A-listers wouldn't have one on their payroll.” Of course, I say that half-jokingly, but it’s important to know that people who talk with a therapist are winning at life in so many ways. It shows a level of personal awareness and motivation to train our brain to be happier, less overwhelmed, and more focused so many things.
Has it ever occurred to you that therapy really is a training exercise for your brain? We know how nutrition trains our internal processes, and we know how working out or seeing a physical therapist trains the structure of our body, but why oh why don't we pay more attention to training our mind? Our emotional health, intellectual health, spiritual health is so vital to everything we do.
Just like not all personal trainers, diets, physical therapists or medications are alike, not all counselors are alike. You have to find the one that is right for you. You have to meet, give it some time to connect, put in the effort to navigate the therapeutic relationship and your problems, and be willing to move on if you feel like you're not having success.
If you've tried counseling before and it hasn't connected with you, chances are you weren't ready to do the training, or you weren't connecting with the therapist that is right for you or maybe a little bit of both. Please try again.
That is why as part of our new practice I had to include my favorite therapist of all time, Kevin Malarkey. And I'm not just saying that because he is part of our tribe. He is a trusted friend, a trusted colleague, and someone that I look to for wise counsel. He is super intelligent, incredibly relatable, and just plain masterful at helping you work magic into your life and relationships. Whether it's stress, overwhelm, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, issues at work or school, feeling of being stuck, transitions of life, grief, teenage angst...
Life can be difficult and can seem downright overwhelming sometimes. I hope that if you feel like reaching out to someone would be helpful, that you meet the counselor in our office or a trusted counselor somewhere else soon.
Go ahead, give it a try. To schedule a conversation with our trusted counselor, message us online or give us a call at 614-710-0075.
To Your Best Health,
Dr. Paige
Dr. Paige Gutheil is a board-certified osteopathic family medicine physician and advocate for a Whole Health approach to your wellness. She is on a mission to help people thrive by looking at all the influences on health...body, mind, and spirit. Dr. Paige is the founder of an innovative team-based direct primary care practice, Signature Primary Care and Wellness in Hilliard, Ohio. She and her colleagues provide comprehensive primary care, counseling, coaching, nutrition education and yoga to help people all over central Ohio and beyond make fun, achievable changes towards their healthiest and happiest life possible!
