The article that is attached provides a nice framework for people trying to decide whether to seek help or not.  I don’t see much in the literature about when to take the leap and seek help, so it’s a nice addition. The decision to seek counseling or therapy is especially difficult because it’s a decision about whether to make oneself vulnerable to a stranger or not.  For this reason, as well as the high cost of therapy and the anxiety around not knowing what is going to happen when one gets there, a lot of people put it off and hope that their problems will resolve themselves.  And sometimes they do, but often they don’t.  Also, a lot of people have had bad experiences with therapy in the past and don’t think it’s going to be helpful for them to invest their time and money again.  So they wait until they feel like they’ve run out of options before making that leap of faith again.  I understand both of these factors very well.  It’s why I started Compatible Counseling Solutions in the first place.  I hate to see people make themselves vulnerable to someone that’s not going to help them, and I’ve seen it happen time and again.

If you are at the point where you’re wondering if now is the time, I urge you to read the attached article and see if any of the scenarios that are described fits you.  If you’re not sure of exactly what you need I hope you’ll consider contacting me. I can help you sort through whether, and what kind of counseling will be most helpful to you and I can help you find an effective therapist that meets your needs and maintains a focus on your goals without keeping you in services indefinitely. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-practice/201301/do-i-need-help