There is still some stigma associated with seeing a counselor. Taking that first step to ask for help can be difficult, so I am always looking for ways to make that first step easier. It occurred to me the other day that sometimes it is hard to find a place where someone is always on your side. Usually that is our family, but our problem may be with the family. We may hope and expect that the person on our side is our significant other, but that relationship can be the problem as well. Where do we turn then?

By nature, and by our own ethical code, counselors are “on the side” of the client. We want and are required to keep the client’s interest first and foremost.

From ACA Code of Ethics: A.1.a. Primary Responsibility
The primary responsibility of counselors
is to respect the dignity and to
promote the welfare of clients.

Most counselors, me included, use a collaborative approach and form a partnership with our client. We are a team trying to resolve issues. Even when I suspect, or know, the client has made mistakes, I work with them to find a better solution.

So, what better reason to get help from a counselor? They will always be on “our side”, even when they have to confront us with the things we would like to ignore.