Accepting new clients. Online scheduling. You seem put together on the outside, but are too ashamed to tell someone what is really going on. Anxiety and depression can leave you feeling alone, misunderstood, and frustrated. You make changes and you "try harder," but end up still feeling stuck. Wanting to avoid work or school, making impulsive choices, numbing the pain, lashing out, and putting on a mask can all be signs to get professional support. You ask, "How is talking to a stranger going to help at this point?" Counseling can offer so much more than a place to vent. You can get real tools to manage difficult thoughts, emotions, and urges while finally feeling heard.
Building helpful and uplifting relationships, finishing tasks, following a routine, actually asking for help in a way that gets results, raising the bar on expectations, following through with your to-do list, using skills to calm down faster with less guilt and shame can be achieved. The right counselor can help you feel safe to open-up and get support.