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Watch This Quick Video Introduction.
This is a quick introduction video. Be sure you then take a moment and get my perspective on The Three Principles just below the video.
Listen to My Professional Perspective of The Three Principls
Read My Professional Perspective of The Three Principles
There are three principles that explain the human condition and how we think. They are Mind, Thought, and Consciousness. The first of these is Mind. It is expressed in the fact that we are alive: Mind, is in essence, the energy of life. The second of these is Thought. It is our ability to create both ideas and mental images from that energy. And the third is Consciousness. Simply put, it is our ability to experience what we believe is real (our perceived reality). All of us are thinkers; we are born thinking, and this allows us to make our way through life. The quality of our lives are determined by the quality of our thoughts. This is because it’s how we see and experience everything moment-to-moment.
When we become aware of these principles, it is an extremely freeing experience. It shatters the long-held attachment to the belief that we are stuck with any particular way of thinking. Think of it this way, we are NOT merely victims of circumstances or even of our past. But instead, we are in control of the way we experience life. Oh sure, life happens, it takes place around us every moment, but it is our thinking about what takes place, that defines our experiences. Our experiences are the result of our thinking and by extension our beliefs and state of mind.
An understanding of these principles allows us to see that our ‘feelings’ (or more accurately our state of mind), as an indicator of the quality of our thinking at that exact moment. This boldly stands in opposition to the previously held belief that our ‘feelings’ are the way we feel in response to actual reality. A stressed or negative state of mind produces a negative mood (emotional state of mind), which can lead to increased levels of tension, insecurity, and/or emotional discomfort. This discomfort can now be understood to be simply an indicator that we need to calm and quiet our current thinking.
As we learn to identify and trust our emotional state of mind, we can catch ourselves earlier and earlier in the process of negative thinking. This can reduce instances of getting stuck in a chronically stressful state of mind, anxiety, depression, or even worse. Recognizing the signal to quiet our thinking, we can let negative thoughts pass. As our minds slow down, our ‘feelings’ can change, and what we perceive as our reality changes as well. We then naturally regain our ability to address what is happening in our lives from a more hopeful and optimistic place.
Once we recognize that innate wellbeing and health is always constant and within our reach, we are able to navigate the myriad of variability of our thinking. Without allowing extremely negative thinking to frighten us or allowing excessively positive thinking to deceive us. This creates space for us to be grateful in moments of exhilaration and graceful in moments of distress. The understanding of the three principles empowers us to experience all of our thinking as a beautiful gift and a precious slice of life’s pie.
What a Counselor or Therapist Can Do for You
There are many reasons why you might want to get professional counseling or therapy. Experiencing symptoms related to a mental health condition is one of the first reasons people might decide to see a therapist. But there are many other important reasons to seek out and talk to a therapist, such as:
- Anxiety
- Behavior issues
- Depression
- Difficulty coping with life changes
- Divorce
- Eating disorder symptoms
- Feelings of loneliness
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Grief
- Low self-esteem
- Marriage problems
- Negative thinking
- Newly entered couplehood
- Problems coping with a chronic illness
- Problems sleeping
- Questions about sexuality or gender identity
- Relationship issues
- Social issues
- Stress
- Substance or alcohol issues
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Trauma
Keep in mind that these are all big reasons, but any reason will do if you do not think you are operating optimally. therefore, you do not need to wait until the thing you want to work on becomes significantly distressful. You do not need to wait for a small stressor to become a disorder before seeking help.
How is Counseling/Therapy Different from Coaching?
The primary difference is education, licensure, and a legal code of ethics. Thus, coaches are free to do and charge as they please, while counselors and therapists are held to specific rules governing education, ethics, practice, the scope of treatment, disclosures, reporting, and billing.
But, I think there is room for a lot of overlap in the work that coaches and counselors do. The major difference in the scope of work performed is coaches are not allowed to diagnose or treat any mental illness as therapists do.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health problem. Such as feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, sleep disruption, and mood disturbance, you should consult a mental health professional as soon as possible. Do not consider using a simple life coach. However, if you are looking to have someone help you define your strengths and help you get out of your own way, you may want to consider a coach as well as a counselor for this.
What is Professional Counseling?
Professional counseling is a joint effort between the therapist and client. As such, therapists/counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems that are holding them back. They also assist with improving communication and coping skills as well as strengthening self-esteem. Clients learn to change their behaviors and realize their innate well-being and optimal mental health states.
The Different Types of Counseling and Therapy
There are literally hundreds of types of therapy or counseling. So, if there is any area in your life that could use a little bit of assistance, consider a counselor or therapist.
- Addiction counseling
- Art therapy
- Child counseling
- Cognitive therapy
- Couples counseling
- Family therapy
- Group counseling
- Hypnotherapy
- Marriage counseling
- Music therapy
- Organizational therapy
- Parental counseling
- Relationship therapy
- Youth counseling
The Ongoing Impact of Counselors
A therapist or counselor can help you effectively make positive changes in your life. The impact that a therapist has on your life depends. There is a range of factors including the severity of your symptoms and the type of treatment that you receive. Not to mention the desire and effort you put into changing.
Some ways that you might benefit from seeing a therapist include:
- Awareness of your thoughts and how they contribute to your behaviors
- Adopting habits that lead to better physical and mental health
- Exploring your actions and thoughts from a different perspective
- Feeling supported and understood
- Gaining greater self-awareness
- Improving your relationships with others
- Gaining greater insight into your experiences and behaviors
- Sharing your fear, burdens, and worries with a neutral, caring person
- Learning new coping skills that will help you manage stress more effectively
Is therapy all that effective? Research suggests that psychotherapy can be very effective in treating mental health conditions. Compared to medication, psychotherapy has fewer side effects and lower rates of relapse once treatment is stopped. It can also help people develop new coping skills that can promote ongoing resilience.
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