The words “counseling” and “therapy” are often used interchangeably, but they’re quite different. Counseling offers short-term solutions for managing thoughts and emotions, with the use of practical behavioral tools. Therapy is more of a long-term strategy that delves more deeply into the causes of overwhelming emotions and behaviors, by developing a greater understanding of why the person reacts the way they do. 

During your initial meetings with a counselor in Columbia, MD, you can examine which strategy best suits your needs. Both counseling and therapy offer several different approaches that can be utilized for your situation. Your counselor can help you to determine the right strategies for you. 

Seeing seriously injured or deceased individuals daily can be traumatic. Encountering hostility against the police can be discouraging. Healing from injuries sustained during police work can have residual difficulties. Dealing with individuals at all levels of society in difficult circumstances can be both gratifying and frustrating. Maintaining self-discipline in the face of danger can be challenging. 

Over time, the daily stress and difficulties can lead to emotional exhaustion and difficulty managing one’s reactions. This is when the need for counseling or therapy to restore emotional balance becomes evident.