People go to counseling for a variety of reasons. Here are a few: Need help navigating a personal or family crisis Healing from emotional trauma Managing anxiety Managing depression Managing a life transition Want to improve relationships Feeling stuck and need help to move on Dealing with unresolved issues of grief, loss, or abandonment Have a problem to solve and need someone to talk it over with Want to improve parenting and/or family relations Self-improvement Need help managing a mental or emotional issue, such as anxiety or depression Increased self-exploration and self-understanding Improved interpersonal communication skills Want to understand and make peace with past experiences As part of a multi-pronged, team effort to deal with a physical or psychological health issue If you are experiencing a depression that doesn't lift after two weeks, or if you are dealing with a problem that feels overwhelming, or that is interfering with your daily life, work, school, or relationships, counseling may be able to help. However, if your physical health and safety are at risk, you should seek emergency care right away. Counseling may be part of your healing process once your safety is assured.