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Self-Help: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Intro
The Self Help industry is a multi-billion dollar business. In 2008, Americans alone spent $11 Billion on the self improvement industry (source: Forbes). This business has some positives and some negatives. Much like any other business it can be susceptible to the temptation to put profit before people. Also, some people may get the mistaken view that self-help is the same thing as counseling. The truth however is quite to the contrary. Occasionally, certain selected pieces of self-help books or audio may be used by a counselor who is working with a client to further their therapy; however, this does not let self help "off the hook" completely. In this article, join me as I delve into the best - and worst - of self help and the self help industry!
The Good
It shows the user wants a positive change
This isn't so much a good thing about the Self-Help industry but about the customers. Obviously, if you are in the market for self help material, it means you are hungry for a change in your life, your circumstances, and your mind and often in your mental health. This is a great thing and to be commended. Although, the most wise thing would be to proceed with caution. Also, if you are suffering from any mental health issue, get yourself a counselor. It will change your life.
Some useful results
Yes, there are many great results that are shown by those who are consumers of self help. This is a good thing and again, this says more about the customer than the maker of the self-help program. Just because it works for you doesn't necessarily validate it.
Some excellent titles
I will not lie. Not all self-help is created equal. Some self help books are written by eminent psychiatrists and psychotherapists. Some books are written by high-school drop-outs and every gradation in between. This is why anyone who is considering self-help should be very cautious. Common opinion would have it that books such as pregnancy preparation guides or books to help you deal with a change in your life (such as recovering from job loss and finding a new one) all are very good! It must be said that there are however just as many bad examples as there are good out there on the bookshelves - possibly more. See below for details!
The Bad
Quick Fix Mentality
If you take all of the get-rich-quick books, and the lose-weight-fast CD's and all of the multiple podcasts or courses offered by the self help industry, you will be deluded into a few very destructive thoughts. One of them is the idea that change is easy and doesn't involve any work! Another is the idea that life should be easy! These of course are misconceptions. What's worse is the fact that if you get a self help resource that promises "5 easy ways to heal your heart" and if by following the 5 "easy" steps your heart is still broken, I'll take a gamble and say you are hurting worse than you were to begin with. It's the quick-fix approach to mental health that is peddled for profit by the self-help industry that many mental health practitioners find particularly repugnant - morally and professionally. I recommend seeking out a properly qualified counselor. We can help with this.
Addiction
It's possible to get addicted to self-help books. Indeed, many people turn to self help for the purposes of ridding themselves of addiction (whether to alcohol, drugs or toxic relationships), just to replace their previous addiction with a new addictive behavior. This is self-defeating and sets the client up for failure and relapse in the long run. It's just one very expensive way to fail. If you have issues with any addiction, or self help addiction for that matter, then please click here and get the real help you need.
Deluded into thinking you don't need therapy
If you have a complex problem, you need therapy – you don't need the latest glossy self-help book. Some folks would think that because it's cheap and painless for them to put a $15 self help book on their credit card that it will heal their relationships, and break their addictions, and have them living the lives they really want to choose. The problem is – people are complex, and we don't fit neatly into categories. Perhaps a formula will work for you and not for me, even if we have identical problems. This is why there are a specially trained group of professionals – counselors – whose specialist training is to work with the individual for the help of the person.
The Ugly
Preying on hurting people
I hate to say it, but a lot of what passes for self help is nothing more than a sham. It's filler to get people interested, and then they'll buy your next product. It's high on style, but low on content. It's like drive through therapy, although a lot of therapists would not be happy to hear even therapy of any sort associated with the fad self improvement material out there. If you are considering buying some kind of product that would claim that change is easy, that success is not difficult and that you can do anything you want regardless of your individual potential and skill set – beware. Change is a process. This is why we don't offer single counseling sessions. You won't heal your hurts in a 1 hour consultation. You won't get well listening to a CD in the 30 minute drive to work. You need to have a therapeutic relationship with someone who is trained to provide this type of care. We offer this type of care here.
Making unfair and unfounded promises
It's not easy to lose weight if your body type dictates otherwise. It's not easy to get a promotion if you work in a company or a role with limited progression. It's not easy to get rich if you live in times of financial crisis. People claim to know this whilst still purchasing these materials. This is not the worst thing though. It is hard to recover from the death of a loved one. It is hard to overcome job loss if a large part of your identity is found in it. It's hard to recover if someone you love breaks up with you. These books promise to help you, but they won't. You need to speak to a real person and receive real care. Professional, yet caring.
No Arbitrary Standard or Professional Bodies
A major difference between counseling professionals and self help materials is in the level of accountability. A counselor will consider his or her license. A counselor will be bound by his or her code of conduct, and also the code of conduct of the company in which he or she works. A counselor could not get away with making many of the false promises that self help materials make. They are held to account, and they must keep to professional standards at all times.
So, in short, you are safer with a counselor.
If you would like to get help, then click here. We have a team of qualified, professional counselors who are standing by to help you.
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