Even while many of our neighbors search for a mental health counselor in Arlington Heights IL, we find that there is often a lot of misunderstanding about who a counselor is and what we do for our patients. Lighthouse Emotional Wellness Center would like to let you know what counseling is all about and what goes on once the door closes. This way, you can decide whether or not counseling is right for you.

What is Mental Health Counseling?

Mental health counseling is a professional therapeutic relationship between a counselor who is trained and licensed with a client. We emphasize the terms "therapeutic" and "professional" because your mental health counselor isn't there to be your friend. Rather, your counselor is there to partner with you to help you solve your own problems and bring about the changes in your life that you wish to see.

What's the Difference Between a Counselor and a Friend?

A friend is often there to be a shoulder when you need someone to lean on. They're there to give you advice. Contrarily, a counselor exists not to tell you what to do, but rather, to do the hard work of helping you find the right answers that are already inside of you in ways that you may not have thought of before.

What Will Talking to Counselor Do for Me?

A lot of people who might benefit the most from counseling resist it by reasoning, "I don't need counseling. I already know what my problems are." Still, if you've had your problems for quite some time, and you still haven't been able to fix them, then maybe you're ready to try something new. How does talking about your problems help?

A mental health counselor will listen to you in a different way than your friends and relatives do. Professional counselors are non-judgmental. Because we don't know you and we're not emotionally tied to whatever your issue is, we can both challenge you and support you in ways that you've never experienced before. Plus, a lot of people don't say their problems out loud. Instead, they just run them through their heads over and over again until they're exhausted.

How Will I Benefit from Seeing a Mental Health Counselor in Arlington Heights IL?

It's amazing what just talking to somebody who's not going to judge you can do. Sometimes, just stating the pain or the discomfort that you have been carrying around can be a huge relief. These things are like poison, and just letting it out can make you feel lightyears better!

How to Meet with a Mental Health Counselor in Arlington Heights IL?

If you are interested in meeting with a counselor for yourself or a child, feel free to call and schedule a consultation. The first consultation is always free. We would like to get to know you and determine how counseling might benefit you. We'll listen to your concerns and discuss your goals and what you would like to gain from counseling.