How Can Talking Help Me With My Problems?
You may ask this question, like many have about how effective counseling can be. Can just talking to someone help me in some way?
I will admit that I am biased, since I provide counseling services myself. I would still like to make my case.
I will apologize ahead of time for letting a little of my inner nerd out since the science behind counseling is fascinating to me.
If you a would rather I also have an audio clip below where I talk about this topic in even more depth!
Epigenetics
Epigenetics is our genes ability to change its expression. In easiest terms, some of our genes can turn "on" and "off" when exposed to to certain experiences.
This function is responsible for helping us adapt to survive in hostile environments. The challenge is that when we go through hostile experiences they can change our genes and when we get to safety, our genes may not change back.
For more information on epigenetics, click here.
Research On Counseling and Epigenetics
Talking Can Create Change
When we speak about our experiences, it helps activate different areas of our brain.
The words, body language, and tone all have to line up and work together to send that message. This becomes an immersive experience for the body and brain.
Our brain releasing experiences, then hearing how those experiences were received, helps bring relief. This relief comes from our brain settling something so it does not have to dedicate resources to it any longer.
The way counseling is different than just talking to a friend is in the counselor hearing then sharing with you what they heard about your experience.
Not Alone In This Moment
When you meet with a counselor they will listen and help your organize your experience. This helps you create language and words around your experience.
As a counselor, we seek to clarify and make sure we understand your experience. This helps us be with you in those difficult moments and experiences. This is where the change starts to happen.
If you can dip into your experience with your counselor, they can help you organize and process it for your brain. This helps take the edge off the intensity of experiences.
Having someone in the moment with you helps your nervous system regulate and create a sense of safety. Your nervous system will do this by "borrowing" the nervous system from your counselor.
That sense of safety that happens in those moments when we dip into tough experience are the moments that start to create new gene expressions.
Counseling Changes Your Perception
Our perception is a powerful force. Look no further than the placebo effect for evidence of this. Your counselor helps you look at situations, experiences, and your own internal world differently.
Having a counselor support your in creating new experiences helps you keep on track. The extra support keeps you from sliding back into old ways of thinking and behaving.
Best of all, it is a non-judgmental and professional. So you can feel supported in any area you need help in without fear stopping you.
You feel different when you are heard and understood in a deep meaningful way. Being in that place, where you know you are heard and understood, creates the opportunity to overcome the challenges you face.
Writing and talking about this, I realize it is a lot of information and would encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or if I can help in any way. In the meantime, refer to the picture above!