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Counselors can help people who suffer from mental health issues. They can also assist people who are struggling in everyday life due to stress or life circumstances. Many people hold misconceptions about counseling that keeps them from getting treatment that would help them. Here are four things prospective clients should know about individual counseling:

1. You can take advantage of remote counseling services.

Making unnecessary trips outside of your home can be frightening in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you're wary of attending in-person counseling sessions, you can take advantage of remote counseling. Many counselors have adjusted their practices to treat clients by phone and video calls. When you choose remote counseling, you will receive the same care you would get in your therapist's office, with the added peace of mind that comes from being safe at home. Many insurance companies are willing to reimburse clients for remote counseling sessions.

2. Your counseling sessions may be reimbursed by your insurance.

Some people are hesitant to seek counseling because they believe it will be too expensive. However, you can find affordable mental health care that suits your needs. Individual therapy sessions are often covered by insurance. If you're interested in using your health insurance to pay for counseling, find out if there are any restrictions. For instance, some insurance companies require that patients see their general practitioner for a referral before seeking counseling. Your insurance company can pay for some or all of the cost of counseling, depending on your coverage.

3. You don't need to see a counselor indefinitely.

Some people worry that once they start seeing a therapist, they will need to continue therapy indefinitely. While it's certainly possible to continue the therapeutic relationship long-term, many people do not require indefinite therapy. Many counselors prefer short-term, goal-oriented therapy for their clients. The purpose of goal-oriented therapy is to address the specific problems that you're experiencing. Your therapist will teach you the skills and techniques you can use to overcome the problems you face in your daily life. 

4. Your counselor can refer you to a psychiatrist.

Most counselors are licensed family therapists or psychologists. While these counselors have extensive training that allows them to help their clients, they cannot prescribe psychiatric medication. If your counselor believes you can benefit from antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication, they may refer you to a psychiatrist. Psychiatric care can go hand-in-hand with your counseling sessions. Many people find that individual therapy is more effective in conjunction with helpful medication.