From sea to sea, a new health trend is on the rise: Counselling Therapy.
In the last few years, there has been an increase in the availability and accessibility of counselling services across Canada.³ While there is still lots to be done around mental health stigma, it seems as though more and more people are interested in and going to counselling to improve their wellbeing.
This might be especially true in Vancouver, where it is widely known that Vancouverites are "health nuts". Not only are you pushing the boundaries of your physical state, like launching yourself off a mountain bike track or bouldering to great heights, but an increasing number of you are also exploring the depths of your mental and emotional state.
How cool is that!
As a counsellor who’s been intimidated to start working for myself full-time, I’ve been pleasantly struck by the number of people who have been reaching out for mental health support. Trust me it’s not easy book your first counselling appointment. If you’ve found yourself frozen in front of your computer, just a click away from booking that appointment, read my blog post: 3 Steps to Getting Yourself to Counselling. It might help ☺️
So why are more Vancouverites booking their first counselling appointment? Truth be told, I’m not exactly sure. Is it the countless years of educating folks that mental health problems affect at least 1 in 5 Canadian in their lifetime²? Maybe! Is it social media that’s has helped share information about mental health problems and resources? Probably! Is it that politicians are finally seeing mental health services, like counselling, as a legitimate and effective treatment option? Yes! Is it that more people have tried counselling and have felt a positive shift in their emotional state after going, and then talk about it with friends and family members? YES! There have been a lot of reasons why we’ve seen a rise in counselling therapy.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for psychologists [and other mental health professionals] overall will grow by 19% between 2014 and 2024, much faster than the 7% average growth predicted for all occupations.¹ The demand for and access of counselling therapists is no doubt on the rise!
If you’ve been wondering if counselling is for you, read my blog post: Is Counselling for Me?.
If you need more convincing that counselling can actually be good for you. Here are 10 reasons why counselling is good for you.
Stay strong,
Myriame
References
https://www.apa.org/members/content/2018-ten-trends.pdf
https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness
https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/2018-08/Expanding_Access_to_Psychotherapy_2018.pdf