In Canada, we have grown accustomed to healthcare that is subsidized, creating a cultural norm of waiting until we are seriously ill before seeking medical attention. The public healthcare system has been unable to meet these needs and has been the topic of much debate and controversy surrounding the privatization of healthcare. It appears that as a collective, we prefer the current system, as we do not want to be burdened with the high cost of healthcare. We prefer a "pay as you go" approach, where we pay a monthly fee, use the services we need and contribute what we can, which appeals to our sense of fairness.
But what about counseling? Where does it fit into our healthcare plan? Counseling and therapy services are covered by healthcare if you are struggling with severe mental illness or suicidal ideation through community mental health services. Some larger employers now offer a group insurance plan known as an Employee Assistance Plan or E.A.P. This plan subsidizes a limited number of sessions with a psychologist or registered clinical counselor. If you are experiencing personal difficulties, this is a resource that is available to you without having to pay for it directly out of your own pocket. However, you do pay for this type of group coverage through your earnings, and some people may never use this service, which is how insurance functions.
However, for those who are not covered under such a plan, whether because they are self-employed, their employer doesn't offer it, or they do not work outside the home, paying for counseling can serve as a deterrent to seeking help. So, why should you pay for counseling?
Investing in counseling is an investment in yourself, which for many people can be a significant obstacle. If we acknowledge that we struggle with low self-esteem or low self-worth, we are limited by our own mindset and may be hesitant to prioritize ourselves when it comes to paying bills. These self-limiting beliefs can be difficult to overcome, yet we know that if we don't make changes within ourselves, our life patterns will remain the same.
The primary obstacle to paying for therapy or counseling is the unease that arises when contemplating doing so. Whenever we opt for change, our innate drive to maintain stability rebels against it, usually manifesting as fear. This fear can be felt as anxiety, uneasiness, and nervousness, sensations that are convincing us to either do nothing or try harder without professional assistance. Our underlying beliefs about finances can surface, and our scarcity mindset can become prevalent with thoughts such as I don't have the means to pay to speak with someone. How will I manage to afford this? I may have to sacrifice something. What about my family members? My daughter needs new shoes, and so on.
Our attitudes toward money are instilled in us by our family and the environment in which we grew up. Children are well aware of the financial pressure that parents face and whether there will be sufficient resources at the end of the month. These attitudes may emerge from families living near the poverty line, middle-class, upper-middle-class, and so on. What children remember and internalize are the emotions associated with the subject and the conclusions or assumptions made regarding finances. A child will attempt to comprehend everything that is transpiring within the family. The scarcity mindset arises when one believes that there isn't enough to go around. This concept, assumption, conclusion, or misguided belief is internalized as "fact" and becomes a conviction that we will continue to manifest for ourselves repeatedly.
As grown-ups, we can't disregard the impact of external forces on our lives that question our convictions. Observing individuals who lead a life of prosperity may evoke sentiments of resentment, covetousness, and fury because we can't understand why they have more than us. If we are accustomed to disparaging ourselves or possess a critical mindset that restricts our abilities, we will struggle with our emotions and acquire coping mechanisms (perhaps even dependencies) that keep us in the same pattern. Identifying and addressing misconceptions is essentially what counseling and therapy aim to achieve.
So, why invest in therapy?
When we take the initiative to care for ourselves and acknowledge the need for change, we open ourselves up to a new understanding of our current mindset. Therapists and counselors are professionals who specialize in the exploration of the mind. They serve as outsiders to your creative process and help identify faulty perceptions and ideas that are hindering your progress. This can be extremely challenging for self-observers. By establishing a relationship with a therapist or counselor, you are essentially telling yourself, "I am worth the investment," and "I believe that I am capable of achieving more in life." Although you may begin counseling feeling broken, it is actually an acknowledgment that some of your beliefs may be misguided. Perhaps something you learned or were taught along the path to adulthood is not serving you in the way you want it to. When you choose to invest your money, which is essentially your tool for survival, you are demonstrating a level of trust in yourself. You trust that what you invest in yourself now will yield benefits in the future, and you are absolutely correct. Investing in therapy is one of the most profound ways to demonstrate self-respect. It is a practical approach to pursuing your aspirations and sources of motivation. When you embrace the idea that "I am worth it," anything can happen, including a life of abundance.
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