Counseling: Getting a Workout for Your Brain

By Caitlin Winkler, PLPC

​What happens in a therapy room? Counselors use a variety of techniques and strategies geared to help clients reach their goals, but the overarching goal is the same: counselors want to help you get from point A to point B.

Think of it this way- After years of eating unhealthily, it can be easy to gain a lot of excess weight. This happens over a long period of time, with consistently unhealthy habits, and a lack of change toward the positive. After gaining the weight, it is easy to become overwhelmed with all the weight needed to be lost. Though the desire is there to change, the action may not be.  

At this point, people can choose to stay where they are or change years of unhealthy habits and patterns. Some may join a gym, find a trainer, or join an accountability group. For those who train their bodies to eat healthier, exercise, and work towards their goals, change can be seen as they continue their healthy choices.  This takes intentional effort, energy, and, possibly, a lot of time. 

In counseling, the process is the same. Counselors are like your trainer at the gym. With possibly years of unhealthy thinking patterns, choices, and behaviors, it can be extremely difficult to re-train the brain and lose that excess weight!  But, just like in physical training, counseling can create a new and healthy mindset to help you overcome your anxiety, depression, and more.  Counseling is not always an easy, process. Just like a killer workout at the gym, it takes work and perseverance. But, the time, effort, and energy is worth it in the end!  

Caitlin Winkler is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor at Unlimited Potential Counseling & Education Center in O’Fallon. Caitlin is under the clinical supervision of Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC (MO #2012026754).

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