How Can Counseling Help?
If you are struggling with emotional distress, professional counseling may be able to help. Counselors can help you identify underlying problems and issues, as well as assist you in finding the best ways to cope. For example, a counselor can show you healthy ways to change behaviors that may be contributing to your problems. Counseling can also help you identify constructive ways to deal with a situation that is beyond your personal control.
Counselors offer help in addressing many situations that cause emotional stress, including, but not limited to:
- Anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders
- Family/marital/partner relationship issues
- Career change and job stress
- Adapting to life transitions
- The death of a loved one
Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor and the client. Professional counselors may work with individuals, families, and/or groups. Counselors help clients in many ways, such as:
- identifying goals and potential solutions to problems that cause emotional turmoil
- improving communication and coping skills
- strengthening self-esteem
- promoting behavior change
Through counseling you can examine the behaviors, thoughts, attitudes, and feelings that may be causing difficulties in your life. You can learn effective ways to deal with your problems by building upon your own unique personal strengths. A counselor will encourage your personal growth and development in ways that match your interests and will best support your overall well-being.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a counselor, contact your U-M employee assistance program:
- UMHS employees, contact the UMHS Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- All other campus employees in Ann Arbor, Flint, or Dearborn, contact the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP)
