What are some myths and realities about counselors?

[Anonymous]

What are some positive things you believe about
counselors and some negative things you have heard about counselors?

[Chris9087]

Positives- I think counsellors may be able to help young people get on track employment wise, and also help to get people out of abusive situations.

Negatives- Sometimes I talk to people who seem to have a million different excuses and ways to justify their shitty behaviours because counsellors told them what they wanted to hear, rather than the truth.
I feel like some psychologists and counsellors are trained to find a deeper reason for every behaviour and sometimes their labels just end up enabling people.
They can now blame their cheating on "Retroactive jealousy" for example rather than selfishness.

[Anonymous]

That you have to be mentally ill to see one. I think a counselor is one of those things that can benefit you most when you don't need them. Got kids and want to be a good parent by avoiding choices that have bad impacts on them? These people have seen the results of just about every behavioral pattern and can guide you in making the best decisions for your kids. Are you a career professional who wants to be a successful as possible? They can help you find the best strategies for interpersonal networking, building rapport in the workplace, etc.

It's common wisdom that we should seek good counsel if we want to be successful. But seeking good counsel is difficult because you're advisor might have an ulterior motive. With a professional counselor, that motive is dealt with upfront (payment) and they have a vested interest in your success (continuing payment). Plus, they are legally bound to keep your secrets, so you can be 99.9% sure your reputation won't be ruined by rumors.

[Subarugirl]

No everyone who calls them selves a counselor is qualified and sometimes it takes a while to find a counselor the is a good fit.

[jahaims]

They are just people with their own biases