Loneliness Counseling
Counseling for Loneliness in Buffalo, NY
Even people who have a wealth of friends, seem to know people everywhere they go, and enjoy many loving relationships, can still feel lonely from time to time. Loneliness is often a sign that we need to rediscover how to be alone with ourselves, especially if we have an established support system.
Sometimes, loneliness can also be a wake-up call that we are outgrowing our current friendships or relationships. Persistent feelings of loneliness are also sometimes linked to mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
For some people, curing loneliness can be as simple as reaching out to a friend or family member who will help the feeling subside. However, if you struggle with feelings of loneliness that won’t go away and aren’t sure what to do, Harris Hill Counseling & Coaching can help.
What to Expect from Therapy for Loneliness
Feeling lonely is a complicated and different experience for everyone. You may even feel guilty for your loneliness if you have family and friends who care about you. But remember, loneliness has nothing to do with your love for your friends and family. Certain relationships in your life could be lacking and not meeting your needs. You could also be going through some struggles that your support system has a hard time understanding.
Counseling explores loneliness to identify its underlying cause. How is loneliness serving you? Is it a sort of defense mechanism? Sometimes, isolation and loneliness are reactive, acting as barriers to connection when we fear being vulnerable or intimate. Harris Hill Counseling & Coaching helps you identify beliefs and behaviors that might be making your loneliness worse, and replaces them with healthy coping mechanisms.
How to Cope With Loneliness
Loneliness can make us feel hopeless, worthless, and desperate. Loneliness can also worsen the symptoms of someone struggling with another mental health condition. The first step to coping is to acknowledge that you are lonely. Do not ignore it or try to repress it; think of loneliness as a messenger with something important to tell you.
Engaging in meaningful activities with others can also help. If you are trying to make friends, then you may have to start with smaller steps. Even drinking your coffee at a cafe around others or smiling at someone in the elevator can be helpful. It’s also important to look for new venues to meet people. You can do this in person or through online communities.
Remember that at its most basic level, loneliness is just a disconnect between the relationships you have in your life and the relationships you want in your life. A counselor can help you understand where to place your expectations and remind you to check yourself to ensure you’re sticking to these expectations.
You May Feel Lonely, But You Are Not Alone
At Harris Hill Counseling & Coaching, we are always here to listen and help. Reaching out to a therapist for the first time can be scary, so we make ourselves available to answer any questions you have. Contact us today and learn more about our services or schedule an appointment with one of our licensed therapists.