Q: When do you know it is time to seek professional therapy as opposed to just seeking advice from a mentor?
A: There are some problems better suited to the legal boundaries of confidentially, which comes with a professional therapist. Issues such as sexual addiction and pornography usage can cause others to label a person as “bad” vs. their behaviors as bad. This can bleed over and affect other family members and their reputations. The repercussions of disclosure of sensitive issues with someone who lacks the understanding and professional expertise to deal with the presenting problems should be highly considered. A counselor interacts with sensitive issues daily and is trained to help. However, mentor relationships with similar personal experiences who have successfully overcome the same issues you are dealing with can be valuable and even an asset to professional therapy.
Patti Hatton, MA, LPC