According to the Association for Psychological Services, only 40 percent of the 60 million people who experience concerns about their emotional health actually seek help.

Common concerns and barriers to seeking assistance involve fear of judgment, or a deep-seated sense of “is this even worth talking about?” Some individuals are too ashamed of their problems, particularly in this age of Facebook, where we are constantly inundated with the airbrushed profiles of what appear to be “perfect lives.”

Contrary to popular opinion, the bravest move you can make is reaching out for help. You may have been raised with the idea of self-reliance: you should be able to solve your problems alone, at most with the assistance of a few trusted friends or family members.

For many of our problems, this may actually be sufficient. For many others, it is not. Examples include addictive behaviors, relationship problems, unexplainable feelings of sadness or a sense of emptiness despite life seemingly going well, excessive worry or anxiety, feeling inadequate or somehow defective. Such problems can trigger shame, which keeps us from reaching out. There is fear of judgment or abandonment, fear of our problems being shared with others.

As mental health professionals, we are bound by law to keep your matters confidential. We offer a neutral perspective, and are trained to help you gain a better understanding of what troubles you. Counselors help guide your thinking in the direction of solutions that are right for you, given the context of your particular life circumstances.

The purpose of counseling is empowerment. It is our goal to help you take charge of your own life. We help you choose goals that are aligned with who you are and what is important to you.