People often see seeking counseling as something to be done in the wake of tragedy. You suffer a mental breakdown or you have suicidal thoughts, so you see a counselor. These are definitely good reasons to see a counselor, but did you know that you can actually take a more proactive approach? If you find yourself dealing with any of these life circumstances or changes, arrange to see a counselor in order to keep yourself in a healthier mental state.

1. Death of a loved one

When someone close to you dies, you may feel a range of emotions. You can't believe they're gone. You don't know who to talk to about their death, and you're not sure how to make sense of the tragedy in the greater picture of your world view. The grieving process is long and arduous, but having a counselor to talk to as you grieve can help ensure you handle the process well. You will never be without someone to talk to, even if your family members are too wrapped up in their own grief to listen well. If the person who passed was close to the rest of your family, too, you may want to consider seeing a counselor as a family so you can all work on processing this together.

2. Job loss

You don't always realize how much your job has become your identity until you lose your job and you suddenly feel as though you don't know who you are. A counselor can help you reconnect with yourself after a job loss. They can also help you navigate the many decisions that come after a job loss, such as whether it's worth taking a pay cut to do what you love or whether you should move your whole family across the state for a more suitable position. You'll interview better and do a better job of putting yourself out there if you feel confident, and a counselor can help you feel confident.

3. Divorce or a breakup

Any break from a long-term partner, whether it's a divorce or just a separation, has the potential to bring up feelings of doubt and inadequacy. You want to move on, and in order to do that, you need to come to an understanding of what went wrong in your previous relationship and what you can do differently going forward. A counselor can talk you through this whole process, allowing you to see your breakup as a new beginning rather than an end.

In the event of any big life change, it is never a bad idea to seek counseling. A few sessions can help keep you thinking clearly and acting rationally.

To learn more, contact a resource that offers counseling services.