People vary in their ability to cope with life’s stressors, so the answer will vary from person to person. However, it’s important to seek help as soon as you recognize you’re experiencing problems, as it can become more difficult to deal with the problem if you’re at the end of your rope.

Common reasons people seek counseling:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance abuse (alcohol and/or other drugs including prescription drug abuse)
• Career or job dissatisfaction
• Academic concerns
• Marital or relationship issues
• Domestic violence
• Eating disorders
• Grief/loss of a loved one
• Adjustment issues/life transitions
• Parenting difficulties
• Problems within one’s social network

Usually people seek counseling once they realize issues are impeding their ability to function in one or more areas. For example, marital stress or substance abuse issues can carry over into one’s job and cause a loss of productivity or attendance. Conversely, issues at work often will spill over into one’s relationships.

A trained therapist can thoroughly assess complicated issues, their effects, and to assist in creating an appropriate treatment plan geared toward problem resolution.