Can Counseling Help? Only If You're Ready to Change.
Here’s the thing: I used to think “do your best” was supposed to be encouraging. But as a perfectionist? That phrase felt more like pressure than inspiration. For me, “my best” often meant pushing myself until I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and one bad day away from a meltdown.
Eventually, I hit my limit—and I knew something had to change. So, I tried something I’d been avoiding for years: counseling.
And guess what? It helped.
Therapy Isn’t Just for "Broken" People
In therapy, one of the first things I learned was this: being perfect isn’t the goal—and it’s definitely not sustainable. I started to unlearn the belief that I had to keep it all together 24/7. I discovered it was okay to feel sad. Okay to need a break. Okay to not do the most every single day.
Over time, counseling helped me trade perfection for progress. And I’m not alone.
🧠 What the Research Says About Therapy
Here’s the science:
Around 60–65% of people feel better after just 1 to 7 sessions of therapy
That number jumps to 75% after 6 months
And 85% after a year
That’s not just good—that’s amazing.
Even better? For things like depression, anxiety, and OCD, therapy + medication often works better than meds alone. (So if you’re wondering whether it’s okay to do both—yes, yes, and YES.)
🤝 What Actually Makes Therapy Work?
You don’t need to fully understand psychology to benefit from it, but it helps to know that counseling works best when a few key things come together. This is called the common factors theory—it’s all about the ingredients that make therapy effective across different styles.
Here’s what matters most:
A strong connection with your therapist (called the therapeutic alliance)
Your own motivation to change
A belief in your ability to grow (a.k.a. self-efficacy)
Gaining insight into your thoughts, patterns, and emotions
Willingness to try new skills, even when it’s uncomfortable
Bottom line: Therapy works—but only if you’re in it.
🌱 So... Are You Ready to Change?
That’s where the Stages of Change Model comes in. It was originally created to help people overcome addiction, but honestly, it works for anyone trying to make a change—whether you’re dealing with stress, relationship issues, burnout, or just feeling stuck.
The 6 Stages of Change:
Pre-Contemplation
You’re not really thinking about change. Maybe you don’t see a problem—or you’re avoiding it. Therapy? Nope.Contemplation
You’re thinking about change, but you’re not quite ready to take action. You’re weighing the pros and cons and maybe Googling, “Can counseling actually help?”Preparation
You’re ready to commit. You start planning, exploring options, maybe finding a therapist or booking your first session.Action
You show up. You do the work. You’re learning, practicing new skills, and actively making changes.Maintenance
You’re sticking with it—keeping the momentum going, even when life gets messy.Relapse (optional but common)
Yep, it happens. You fall back into old habits. But instead of quitting, you get back up, reassess, and keep going. Relapse isn’t failure—it’s part of the journey.
💬 So, Can Counseling Help?
It depends. Are you willing to:
Own where you are in the change process?
Get real about what you need?
Show up and try, even when it’s hard?
Learn new skills and practice them outside of sessions?
If yes—counseling can absolutely help.
If not yet, that’s okay too. But don’t dismiss it just because you’re not “falling apart.” Therapy isn’t just for crisis—it’s for growth, healing, and transformation.
Therapy Helps. But Only If You’re Ready.
Counseling helps most people feel better—and often pretty quickly
A strong therapist-client connection + motivation + willingness to grow = magic
The Stages of Change Model helps you figure out where you’re at
Therapy is most powerful when you’re ready to take action
You don’t need to hit rock bottom to benefit
So instead of asking, “Can counseling help?”
Try asking, “Am I ready to change?”
And if the answer is yes—go book that first appointment. Your future self will thank you. 💬💛