The role of a mental health counselor in your healthcare team

Stuart SchlossmanMental Health, Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptoms

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Some people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) may choose to see a counselor during the course of their disease. Seeing a counselor may be an option for you when living with MS. 
Finding A Counselor for People Living With MS

Counselors and their role in MS

Counselors are licensed professionals. Some have clinical counseling backgrounds while others have clinical social worker backgrounds.
Counselors may work with you in the following ways:
  • Figure out how to move forward after diagnosis of MS
  • Find positive coping mechanisms for you to use
  • Navigate the different emotions that you may be experiencing
  • Identify things that can help improve your quality of life
  • Identify causes of stress in your life
  • Improve communication with others
  • Process losses that you may have experienced due to your MS
Some people with MS may seek counseling on a short-term basis. In this case, specific identified goals are typically created between the client and counselor. The sessions are highly structured around the goals. Usually a set number of sessions are agreed upon when therapy first starts.
Since MS is a chronic disease, some people may decide to see a counselor on a more long-term basis. There are still goals that are typically created, but there is room for unstructured time to talk about a broad range of things. Since MS can be unpredictable, long-term counseling may be an additional option.

Help with managing emotions

People living with MS may be struggling with mood disorders. A counselor may help if your mood is affecting your current quality of life.  The counselor may explore many things, including your:

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