Do counselors really help people?

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I was on a forum and a user said that he does not trust counselors and feels that way because he can't imagine himself opening up to a stranger and that the world would be a better place without counselors and people would not need counselors if they had friends that they trust enough to talk about anything. He believes that it is better to talk to friends rather than counselors because friends ultimately care more and he says that we are doing longterm harm by encouraging people to talk to counselors rather than building meaningful and lasting friendships with people. What do you think?

[Whisper]

K i'm biased as a Psych Major but I woefully disagree. I think he doesn't understand how hard and serious situations can become with patients suffering from serious conditions such as MDD, GAD, DID, GID, PPD, Substance related disorders, etc......The list goes on and on and on and on

You wouldn't go to your best friend if you had a broken bone would you? you'd go to a doctor. When you're trying to ensure your child has a great education you don't lock them in teh basement and teach them yourself you send them to a professional teacher in the education system whos dedicated their life to the craft.

Counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals have dedicated their lives to helping others deal with problems or disorders faced by the individual or their family members, to sit there and say theyre all shit and the world would be better off without them is a sad statement indeed.

Some are better than others its the same as any other profession
But holistically counsellors and the like do a great deal of good in helping to stem the pain and fear many face.

EDIT
I'm not mitigating the effect a best friend can have on a patients outcome and well being, I think a strong support network is VITAL to recovery but when its severe you need more than that.
Speaking from experience I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for Rudi, Matt, Laura, Patch, etc....
Especially Rudi, he's helped me a great deal. But there comes a time when you need more if you're going to recover, weither its through medication, counseling or both.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I agree. Sometimes people need friends to talk to, but counselors can be good if one's friend's are unable to help them. I do not think it is true that counselors do not care as much as friends. Some may get personally invested and counsel people who are going through situations they have gone through, so there is empathy.

[ShatteredWings]

I think there's a lot of people in psychiatry who shouldn't be, and they're giving the people who do good work a bad name.

That said, I'm still wary of most since everyone who I've talked to in person/phone has been one of the bad ones. Fool me once and all.

[Scarface]

I agree. Sometimes people need friends to talk to, but counselors can be good if one's friend's are unable to help them. I do not think it is true that counselors do not care as much as friends. Some may get personally invested and counsel people who are going through situations they have gone through, so there is empathy.

I was a peer counselor and family assistant counselor at my school for 3 years. I think that the number of people that I have helped and the people that I have seen have been more gracious and open with me. As well as the other peer counselors and assistants.

I think it's personally un-wise to try and go to friends for nasty situations because they are not going to always have the right advice. Sure you will be able to vent, BUT, will you be able to find answers and closure for problems? Most cases not.

I don't think I would go to friends for any sort of problem because they are my friends. Yes they can be good to talk to, but they don't need to know all of my problems. Plus all of what I tell the counselor stays with them. I feel a lot more comfortable with someone that actually knows what they're doing, and won't think any different of me, regardless of my problems. I think 9 times out of 10 you will get more in depth help from a counselor. They are there to talk to, they are also there to give advice. They're not out to get anyone and they will always listen.

I would not go to my friends if I were feeling suicidal and I definitely wouldn't go to them for anything more severe. That's why people go to school for a degree in psychology. Everyone is able to talk, but not everyone is able to help.

[CairAndros]

I think that friends are a good place to start off if you have some sort of a problem. I've lost track of the amount of times mates have come to me and asked for advice or help with whatever situation has occurred. However, I also agree that there comes a point where we, as friends, are rendered useless by the situation and more professional help needs to be brought into play.

Sometimes though it isn't possible to do that and situations are forced upon you and you have to deal with them as they unfold. Personally I had to convince someone not to commit suicide because the person they loved said they would never go out with them etc(kinda a long story). This was at like 1-2am on msn; you don't get insta-access to a psychiatrist or anyone else in that line of work at that time of the morning.

But if something was seriously wrong I would discuss it with a friend first and then, based on that discussion, seek whatever help was necessary.

[Continuum]

I disagree, but it depends really. It depends on how easily a person relates themselves to the counselors; for example, it's harder to open up to an old, conservative hag who bugs you about all of your problems. While younger, inexperienced people do this job, they are observed to be more approachable when it comes to life problems. Not all people are suitable for this job.

Though I'm more comfortable in receiving advice from them rather than letting them totally helping me, which is reserved for my friends. :P

[Fact]

I disagree.
I have what you might call 'friend problems' anyway.
But generally, I find that I open up MUCH better to people I don't know because;
a) less chance of being judged by people 'close' to me, who might hurt me if they knew the truth
and
b) people who are totally outside the situation you're in often see it better for what it is and can therefore help you more effectively.

That's my opinion anyway.

[Azunite]

Even at worst situations, talking to someone who is experienced helps you