“A friend is one who rejoices in our good and grieves for our pain.”
Aristotle
01/
迷思：
只有患嚴重精神疾病和情緒問題的人才會尋求心理輔導
事實：
確實，一些嚴重精神病患者會與輔導員一起管理症狀和處理情緒，但輔導員也幫助人們解決日常生活的問題，例如人際關係、失落情緒、轉換工作、壓力處理等。心理輔導是幫助人們在生活中發揮最大潛力的一段旅程。
01/
Myth:
Counselling is only for people who have serious mental and emotional problems
Fact:
It is true that some people who have severe mental illnesses or emotional problems work with counselors to manage symptoms and emotions but counselors also help people work through everyday problems like relationship issues, disappointments, loss of loved ones, career transitions, coping skills. Counselling is often a journey that helps people reach their maximum potential in life.
02/
迷思：
尋求心理輔導是軟弱的表現
事實：
尋求心理輔導是主動管理問題的一種方式。當人們遇上一些自己無法處理的問題，從而影響到自己的日常生活運作時，輔導員可以提供面對困境的建議、技巧和方式。此外，也有不少人希望藉著心理輔導提升自己本來已經很美滿的生活。心理輔導可以幫助人們發展潛能，輔助他們在體育、商業和領導才能等等的特定領域更為出色。
因此，承認自己需要幫助通常是最難克服的障礙。這絕不是弱點！相反，它是勇氣的證明，也是邁向自我實現的第一步。
02/
Myth:
Seeking counseling is a sign of weakness
Fact:
Seeking counseling is a way to proactively manage our problems. If you have problems that affect your day to day function, a counselor can teach you skills to handle difficult times. In addition, some people seek counseling services to improve their already great lives. Counseling can help people develop skills that will help them excel in specific areas such as sports, business, and leadership.
Admitting that you need help is not a weakness! Rather, it is a testament of courage and a first step towards self-improvement.
03/
迷思：
假如我尋求心理輔導，他們只會給我吃藥
事實：
輔導員不會給受助者開藥。相反，心理輔導是一趟與輔導員一起探索和滿足個人內在需求的獨特旅程。
03/
Myth:
If I go to counselling, I will only be given medication
Fact:
Counsellors do not prescribe medication to clients. Rather, counselling is a unique journey that individuals undertake with the counselor in finding their inner needs and finding ways to meet these needs.
04/
迷思：
心理輔導是無止境、無了期的
事實：
心理輔導確實沒有明確或特定的時間表。對於受助者來說，這是一個獨一無二的過程，治療時間一般根據個人的需求和問題性質而定。一些人的問題可能在幾次療程後就得以解決，另一些人則可能需要幾個月甚至更長的時間才有所進展。
04/
Myth:
Counselling takes forever
Fact:
There’s really no definite time frame for any individual who needs to work through his/her concerns. It is a unique process and is often based on the needs of the person. Some people find their concerns solved in a few sessions while others may need a few months.
05/
迷思：
心理輔導對人沒有幫助
事實：
一般而言，當受助者願意投入時間和精力與輔導員合作時，輔導效果通常更為顯著。在自我轉化的過程中，受助者積極參與的態度是非常關鍵的。
假如受助者只期望從輔導員處得到建議，卻不打算參與輔導過程或作出改變，他們則很難從輔導過程中得益，輔導結果亦往往令人失望。
05/
Myth:
Counselling does not work
Fact:
Counselling is often most successful when you invest time and energy to work with the counselor. Active participation is essential in the self-changing process. Individuals who only want to receive advice from the counselor benefit the least and often be disappointed.
06/
迷思：
向一個陌生的輔導員傾吐心事感覺非常奇怪
事實：
與剛認識的人分享內心的想法，感覺的確有點奇怪。然而，隨著受助者與輔導員日漸熟絡，這種怪異感就會慢慢消散，個人的分享也會更加自然。
06/
Myth:
It’s weird pouring out my concerns to a stranger
Fact:
It may feel a little strange sharing with a person you have just met in the beginning. In time, when trust is built up sharing comes naturally.
07/
迷思：
每個輔導員都是一樣的，假如您在尋求心理輔導後問題並沒有得到解決，代表輔導不是一種適合你的方式。
事實：
人們不可能與每一位輔導員都「擦出火花」。正如抑鬱症患者會因為個別的性格或生活經歷而對疾病出現不同的體驗；輔導員同樣擁有不同個性。而治療方法也不例外：並非每位輔導員都適合每位受助者， 如果經過幾次會面後，受助者發現與輔導員似乎並不相配，不妨尋求另一位更為相配的輔導員。
專業的輔導員並不會因此而感到被冒犯；相反，他們希望受助者能夠得到最合適的輔導服務，因此受助者的福祉才是最重要的。
此外，輔導員亦會不斷調整治療方法，務求找到切合案主需求的輔導模式。
07/
Myth:
All counsellors are the same – If you tried one and it didn’t work, counselling won’t work for you
Fact:
You don’t “click” with every single counselor you meet. Just as people with depression experience the illness differently due to different personalities or life experiences, counsellors have different personalities as well. Treatment approaches are no different and not every counsellor will be a perfect fit for you.
If after a few sessions the relationship with you and your counsellor doesn’t seem to be a match, find another counsellor who matches you.
A professional counsellor will not be offended by this, on the contrary, they want the best for you. You are the most important person.
A counselor will also adjust treatment approach to match your needs.