Common Concerns

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Depression What is Depression? Many people experience some form of depressions but what are the signs and when do you know if you need to get help. A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.

More Depression Booklet>>

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With what concerns can counseling help?

There are times when advice may be sought in response to a unique personal concern that is not clinical in nature and not categorized within the usual categories for which counseling is sought. For example:

> A couple may want to discuss whether or not to adopt a child.

> A young man or woman may wish to discuss their concern about which local college to attend.

> An individual coming into a large sum of money may wish to discuss emotional issues surrounding the newly acquired wealth.

> A single man or woman may wish to improve their social skills in order to approach dating situations with more confidence.

These issues are only a few brief examples of some of the problems that can be shared and processed during a confidential counseling session. Counselors can be particularly helpful since they can provide a supportive and objective setting in which decisions can be made. In counseling, clients can feel supported to arrive at their own conclusions without being coerced into making decisions contrary to their own values and goals.

Below is a sample of concerns that are often discussed in counseling:

Academic Performance
Adoption Concerns
Alcohol and other Drug Abuse
Anger
Anxiety/Panic Attacks
Assertiveness
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Career Indecision
Children
Depression
Disordered Eating
Divorce/Separation
Family Concerns
Family of Origin
Financial concerns
Friendships
Grief
Homesickness
Insomnia
Marriage Concerns
Motivation
Mid-Life Development Issues
Multicultural Issues
Obsessive-compulsive
Parenting
Poor self-confidence
Personal Crises
Personal growth
Procrastination
Relationship Problems
Social phobia (or social anxiety disorder),
Specific phobia
Self-Esteem
Sexuality & sexual concerns
Self-defeating behaviors
Step/Blended Family Concerns
Stress Management
Trauma
Work Related Concerns