Why do so many people in america get counselling?

Ok, first off, I’m not trying to suggest any kind of weakness in anyone, so please don’t take offence to this genuine question.

Why do so many people in America get counselling?

I get the impression from the media (films, internet etc) that most...

people in America get counselling at some time. Why is that? Do you feel that you need it? Do people who get counselling feel like they have had it bad and need help to cope?? I’m sorry but I don’t get it. Why do so many people in America have a counsellor?

 
That is a false impression. It is similar to the impression that everything about the world is negative, destructive and evil that people tend to perceive by reading the daily newspaper which must expound the negative side of life in order to sell papers because the fascination therein tweaks the buyer's curiosity and causes them to buy the paper.

I would estimate that not more than ten percent of the people, if that, utilize the services of a professional health counselor. It is easy to confuse this fact when you hear the word counselor being utilized in so many different situations. You have financial counselors (advisers), guidance counselors (educational advisers), etc., etc.

The need for Advisers (counselors) is required because the world has become so complex, life, too, being extremely complex. It is impossible for the individual to master everything in life, therefore he/she strives to excel in their chosen field and utilizes advisers to aid them through other fields of endeavor.

Consider the President of the U.S. or any other country's leader. They all utilize the services of Advisers (counselors) because there is too much information about for them to absorb it on their own.

And, take this site. Everyone who frequents this site is getting Counseling (advice) from others based upon some specific informational need that they have.

coun·sel·or also coun·sel·lor (koun'sə-lər, -slər)
n.

1. A person who gives counsel; an adviser.
2. An attorney, especially a trial lawyer.
3. A person who supervises young people at a summer camp.

Councellors don't work anyway. All they do is make you more upset.

It is estimated about 1/5 of the population suffers from a mental disorder at some point. Most of these people do not get help for their problems. The movies and media are not the best way to tell how many people are doing anything, look up the statistics that psychology researchers have produced if you really want to know what is happening. Also, the US provides a lot of access to these facilities. There are not more people with issues in the US, there is simply more mental health care available.

Just as I thought. Thanks ty.

Not that I want to make this even more complicated, but I was talking to a psychology phd student today, and he (like a whole group of people) dont believe in pathologizing normal human behavior, he sees labelling people with illnesses as a form of control almost... For example seeing ADHD as a disorder vs. simply a different way of functioning... So the idea there would be a lot of people go to counseling because they're told they're sick. Other cultures deal with people differently (they dont necessarily label their behavior as a sickness) and so there's less counseling... It really is up to you what you believe... It's just another way to look at it...

I live in america and a lot of people get conseling I think cus there 2 lazy 2 deal with there probs on there own

Unfortunately a lot of Americans get counselling or are actually on anti depressants. I think it is bc they get overwhelmed and instead or working on the issues one at a time they prefer to pop a pill. It is easier and stupider. I know many people who get caught in that trap and since so many other people are in therapy they think it's the norm. The problem with counselling is that the therapist hears one side of the story and can often times fuel a disturbed or crazy person into that person thinking that they are ok and normal. It is meant to be a helpful thing but too many people can't be honest with themselves let alone someone else.

Unfortunately a lot of Americans get counselling or are actually on anti depressants. I think it is bc they get overwhelmed and instead or working on the issues one at a time they prefer to pop a pill. It is easier and stupider. I know many people who get caught in that trap and since so many other people are in therapy they think it's the norm. The problem with counselling is that the therapist hears one side of the story and can often times fuel a disturbed or crazy person into that person thinking that they are ok and normal. It is meant to be a helpful thing but too many people can't be honest with themselves let alone someone else.