Fear, mystery, and stigma often keep people away from professional counseling, but this hesitancy is normal. One question will help you decide whether to go: Are you fed up with feeling miserable? Contrary to what's portrayed on TV, most people do not attend counseling for very long. Some may go once, feel empowered, experience a "reality check," and find the strength they have been searching for to finally take charge and overcome a serious problem. Counseling is challenging because personal change rarely is easy; however, it can still be fun, exciting, full of relief, and life-changing - but above all, not what you expected.