Signs You Could Benefit from Counselling
- Arezou Mirzaei
- May 25
- 4 min read
By Arezou Mirzaei, A Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC), Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Psychology Instructor.
Let me be blunt. Life is heavy sometimes. You’re juggling responsibilities, trying to keep it all together, and wondering if what you’re feeling is just a rough patch or something deeper.
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, "Do I really need counselling?"—here's the truth: if you’re even asking, there’s a good chance the answer is yes.
Let’s get into the signs that you could benefit from counselling and what you can actually do about it, starting today.
You're constantly overwhelmed or anxious.
Stress is a part of life. But if you feel like your nervous system is stuck in overdrive, that’s not something you just need to push through. Anxiety can show up as racing thoughts, irritability, sleep issues, or physical tension that never really lets up.
What you can do:
Try simple grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method (name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste). Cut back on caffeine and get outside daily for at least 15 minutes.
Counselling helps you understand the root of your anxiety and develop real tools to manage it. I don’t do fluffy affirmations. I’ll help you figure out what’s actually fueling the stress and how to shut it down.
You're feeling stuck or unmotivated.
You're not lazy. You're not broken. But when it feels like you're dragging yourself through the day and have no idea why, it's a red flag. Burnout, depression, or just plain exhaustion from life piling up could be behind it.
What you can do:
Start small. Break your day into manageable parts. Get one thing done, even if it’s just loading the dishwasher or replying to one email. Movement matters: take a walk, even around your block.
In counselling, we look at what’s draining your energy and keeping you stuck. Then we make a plan to shift out of it. You won’t be stuck forever, but you do need support to climb out.
You're snapping at people more than usual.
If your patience is paper thin and you’re reacting instead of responding, something's off. It might be unprocessed emotions, stress, or simply not having space to deal with what’s really bothering you.
What you can do:
Keep a quick log of when you’re triggered and what’s happening around you. Even two days of this can reveal patterns. Prioritize sleep and make time for something that helps you cool off: music, a workout, or even yelling in your car.
Counselling gives you space to unpack what’s behind the frustration. I won’t sit there and nod. We’ll talk about what’s really going on and how to stop carrying it around.
You're struggling in your relationships.
Whether it’s with your partner, friends, family, or coworkers, if you’re constantly in conflict or withdrawing from people, it might be more than a bad week.
What you can do:
Start by checking in with yourself. Are you showing up the way you want to? What do you need that you’re not getting or asking for? Journaling, even one sentence a day can help get those thoughts moving.
In counselling, we work on communication, boundaries, and self-awareness. You’ll stop repeating the same patterns and start showing up with clarity and confidence.
You feel like you're faking it.
If everyone around you thinks you're fine but deep down you know you’re not, that mask gets heavy. You don’t have to pretend everything is okay.
What you can do:
Say the truth to at least one trusted person. Let them know you’re not okay, even if you can’t fully explain why. Getting it out of your head is the first real step.
Counselling is where you drop the mask. You get to be real, raw, and not judged for it. I’m here for that. It’s not about fixing you. It’s about helping you feel like yourself again.
No, You Don’t Need to Hit Rock Bottom First
You don’t need to wait until you’re falling apart to ask for help. The strongest thing you can do is admit something’s not right and decide to do something about it.
Counselling with me is honest, direct, and focused on getting you unstuck. No clichés. No tiptoeing. Just real talk and real tools that actually help.
Book a session when you’re ready. I’ll meet you where you’re at and we’ll take it from there.
Need Help Taking the First Step?
If you’re ready to start the conversation, or even want help figuring out how to say it, that’s what I’m here for.
Book a consultation or reach out through my contact page.
We can talk through your concerns, and if your partner is open to it, we can go from there as a team.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Your friend and expert,
Arezou Mirzaei, A Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC), Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Psychology Instructor.
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