Struggling With Debt? 5 Ways A Therapist Or Counselor Can Help
by Julia Gregory
Do you struggle with debt? Are you considering bankruptcy? Do money troubles keep you up at night? If so, one part of your strategy to successfully deal with these stresses should include seeing a mental health professional, such as a counselor. How can a counselor help those with debt problems? Here are five important ways.
1. Address Emotions Regarding Money. For many Americans, discussing money is taboo and yet it affects every person every day. This results in bottled up emotion regarding money, stemming from as far back as childhood experiences and family history. Your counselor will help you address your relationship with money, your worries and fears, and your perspective so you can look at money from a more logical standpoint.
2. Stop Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms. Coping mechanisms refer to the strategies people use to deal with stresses or problems. However, many coping mechanisms make debt worse. This includes things like hiding from your bills, spending unnecessary money, so-called retail therapy, and reliance on drinking or recreational drugs. A good counselor will help you develop better strategies and stop debt cycles.
3. View Bankruptcy Healthily. The decision to file for bankruptcy discharge weighs heavily on many people. Some view it as a moral or ethical failure or may feel that it makes them a personal failure. A counselor helps the debtor think logically about bankruptcy protection and make good choices about how and when to use it.
4. Get Help Talking With Others. Do you feel embarrassed about debt problems? Worried that your employer, friends, or family will find out about a bankruptcy? You're not alone. The first step toward feeling less stigmatized about debt issues is to talk about them with a confidential professional. They'll also help you find ways to discuss your money problems with others on your terms.
5. Stay on Track. Once you start on a debt relief journey, staying the course is vital. Whether you're tackling your money challenges on your own or as part of a couple, an independent professional can help you find long-term success. Your counselor doesn't need to be a financial professional to keep you accountable, help you with setbacks, and remind you of goals.
Ready to get help with whatever money challenges you face? No matter what's holding you back from financial success, a trained mental health professional can help you overcome it. Call today to make an appointment with a counselor and start moving forward to a healthier financial life.
Share
About Me
The decision to move one of my parents into assisted living was one of the most difficult I have ever made. I had extreme feelings of guilt that led to me being at the facility with my parent practically around the clock. It took a few months before I realized that I could not let my own life fall apart from the guilt I was feeling. I also learned that my parent was fine without me constantly hovering around. Since that time, I have had several friends express similar feelings of guilt. I started this blog to help others in the same situation understand not only their feelings about assisted living, but those of their parents.