Sometimes we don’t like the way our story is going. And we especially don’t like letting others know we don’t like it.

I often have girls in my office who don’t want to be there the first session. Time and time again I will hear girls say to me, “There is nothing wrong with me so I don’t know why I need counseling?”

I always appreciate their honesty and completely see where they’re coming from. Counseling can have a negative stigma that comes with it and it can be a little scary, at first. Sitting down and talking about the real stuff life is throwing at us can feel intimidating. Not what is posted on our Instagram stories or masked with a filter, but the true stuff that we may be too uncomfortable talking about with others.

What I tell my girls is that counseling doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you; if we’re honest, there is something wrong with all of us. Life isn’t perfect and neither are people. So in fact, coming to counseling means quite the opposite about her.

It means she realizes her life isn’t perfect just like anyone else’s, and that’s okay.

It means she cares enough about herself to take time for her own wellbeing.

It means she is brave enough to discover, reflect, and own her own, unique story.