FAQs | BlueRiverCounseling

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Counseling, Exactly?

Great question! The definition of counseling will probably vary based on who you ask. I like to think of counseling simply as a therapeutic relationship in which a counselor helps a client identify, address, remediate that which interferes with the client living a happy and healthy life. Chances are that you may have heard about counseling as being something that is only for people who "need therapy" or that have something "wrong" with them. I argue such language and instead reframe that any person can do counseling and that they do so not because they are deficient in any way, but because they want to do better and be better for themselves and to others.

What is Mental Health?

This is another question that will vary in its answer. I define mental health as a combination of a person's cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. In other words, mental health can be defined by the way that a person thinks about, feels, and responds to their environment. A person's mental health can be influenced by a variety of factors that include neurological/biological makeup, genetic disposition/family history, life experiences such as acute stressors and trauma, and more. Counseling is just one of many ways in which a person can tend to and improve their mental health.

What is Mental Illness?

Mental illness can be defined as a condition(s) that impact a person's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Mental illness can have varying levels of severity and can be just as common as medical conditions. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association reports that nearly 1 out of 5 adults in the United States experiences some form of mental illness in their lives. These mental illnesses, also referred to as mental health disorders, are classified within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and can be treated by counselors and other mental health professionals. It is important to note that just because a person has a mental health disorder does not mean that they cannot function and live a happy life.

How Do I Know If I Could Benefit From Counseling?

You will notice that I phrased this question as "benefitting from" rather than "needing" counseling. Telling yourself or another person that they "need" counseling can be damaging and stigmatizing. Instead, you can encourage yourself and/or others to engage in counseling as a way to care for yourself and promote more well-being. The American Psychological Association suggests that counseling can be especially helpful when any of the following is present:

Thinking about or coping with the issue takes up at least an hour each day.
The issue causes embarrassment or makes you want to avoid others.
The issue has caused your quality of life to decrease.
The issue has negatively affected school, work, or relationships.
You’ve made changes in your life or developed unhealthy habits to cope with the issue.

If any of these are true for you and think that you could benefit from counseling, contact me at (406) 201-5653, submit an inquiry below, or or email me directly at michael@bluerivercounselor.com to set up a free consultation.

How Do I Know When To Seek Marriage/Couples Counseling?

Are you and your spouse/partner engaging in constant criticism of each other? Do you find yourself getting defensive, emotionally and/or physically distant from your spouse/partner? Have you began to contemplate divorce/separation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this may be a sign that your relationship could benefit from counseling. Research from Drs. John & Julie Gottman indicates that many couples wait an average of six years before seeking support for relationship issues! Just as people are encouraged to be proactive about supporting their physical and mental health, so too should they be encouraged to be proactive about supporting their relationship health. Please refer to the linked article below published by The Gottman Institute for more information on signs of a relationship in need of counseling, proactive care for couples, and more.

When Is It A Good Time To Seek Counseling?

What Does a Normal Counseling Session Look Like?

One thing that you can learn about me is that I seldom, if ever, use the term "normal." I have seen too many times how using "normal" as a description can lead people to engage in negative comparison about themselves and others. Instead, I propose the idea that people are simply too unique in their backgrounds and life experiences for there to be an objective "normal" that fits for everyone. That being said, a person can know that they are feeling abnormal or experiencing/responding to things abnormally based on their own self-history.

Sessions will look different for each client based on their specific presenting concerns, needs, and goals. Early sessions will focus on establishing what I refer to as "the therapeutic relationship" in which client and counselor build rapport, trust, and respect, and set goals/objectives for the therapeutic process. Sessions will then follow this treatment or "blueprint" plan to help the client accomplish their goals. I encourage all of my clients to embrace openness, honesty, and vulnerability when in counseling even when doing so can be unfamiliar and/or uncomfortable. I believe that it is also important to understand that while the counseling process may be challenging at times, these challenges are necessary for the purpose of growth and well-being. I also have clients know that I will never push them into talking about or exploring any topics, past experiences, etc. that they do not want to.

How Much Does Counseling Cost?

Please refer to the Service & Costs page for more information on counseling session costs.

If you think that counseling could be beneficial to you but still have questions, please reach out to me by email at michael@bluerivercounselor.com to set up a free 30-45 minute consultation!