Seeing a Therapist or a Friend?

By: Alexia Cabreras, MS, LPC Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S Many of us have a good friend we turn to when we face hardships in our lives. This person is typically someone we trust and has a reputation of being a good listener. This person is probably a great advice giver. At least, that's what we think, right? There's nothing wrong with leaning on a friend to help us out when we need some type of support. However, finding a professional that can be an additional layer of support can go a long way when it comes to having a system to lean on.

Why is seeing a therapist better than a friend?

The reality is this, your friend will likely tell you what you want to hear. As a therapist, we tell you what you need to hear. Sometimes, your friends may not always have your best interest at heart. we can only hope that they do, but many times, unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Seeking support from someone who may not have the right intentions for you can be harmful, as friends (and even family) tend to interfere in your life through unwarranted opinions and suggestions. As therapists, our job isn't to cause any level of harm. Our job stems from giving you the safe space to share with us what you may be facing and exploring some of your options. We may sit with you and your feelings, but we never enforce any of our own onto you like a friend may. We allow you to take control of your life and explore the pros and cons of every situation through unbiased guidance.

What is different about seeking a therapist?

Ultimately, there are many things we do that are different from what our friends may be doing. One is our attachment to your situation. Yes, we will care, and we will be there for you, but we will never take it upon ourselves to become emotionally involved and cross professional boundaries. A friend may, on the other hand, cross those boundaries and become far too invested in your life and decision-making process. As therapists, we stay away from things that could alter the therapeutic process in a negative way and cause harm, as stated earlier.

Here are a few other things we do differently

- We remain open-minded for your gain - We challenge you in a healthy manner - We help you identify harmful decisions - We are ethically and legally obligated to maintain things confidential - We do not judge you - You don't have to worry about upsetting us

When to talk to your friends

There's no right answer to when you should talk to your friends. You can talk to them as much as you want. The point is to be mindful about what you share and how this may affect your well-being. In my professional opinion, I encourage you to talk to your friends about things you won't look back on and regret sharing with them. I also encourage you to share things you truly feel comfortable sharing out of free will and not peer pressure.

Begin Seeing a Therapist in Katy, TX!

If you are ready to begin prioritizing your mental health, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide mental health counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:

• Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more information
• Meet with one of our knowledgeable therapists
• Find ways to thrive through therapy today!

Other Therapy Services We Offer: 

Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men's issues, women's issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!