The solutions from talking about your problems with a mental health expert can be quite different from those in your mind. “When you speak with someone, it is a dialogue and it can open more perspectives for you. It can also be helpful for you to ‘hear’ what you have been saying to yourself,” said Ho.
Indeed, being able to talk to a professional can help you to dissect your problems and put in place healthy coping mechanisms to better process your negative emotions and thus, improve your mental health, said Chan.
Moreover, these are professionals who are equipped with the skills and resources to facilitate conversations in a productive manner and help counsel you, said Chan. “The trained professional is able to take on an objective lens as compared to a friend or family member, who may feel more invested in your personal life.
“By talking about the difficulties you face, coupled with the therapeutic questioning from a trained counsellor, you allow your brain and your whole being to digest what is happening and how to cope moving forward”.
Misconception 3: I don’t feel comfortable sharing intimate details of my life with a stranger