Summary
Stress and anxiety are very prevalent for all people in today’s society. Anxiety
affects many people from childhood to older adulthood. Stress and anxiety can lead to
many other physical and mental health issues. Such physical and health issues may be so
severe that they could result in death through suicide. It is important for people who
suffer from stress and anxiety to seek treatment in attempts to prevent further life lasting
injury.
Mental health professionals help people lead a higher quality of life by utilizing
counseling and the power of the therapeutic relationship. They do so by providing
necessary coping skills and assist in symptom reduction. Establishing a strong, safe and
secure therapeutic relationship is necessary for clients to make changes in their lives.
Counseling services may provide assistance for individuals experiencing stress and
anxiety.
As shown through the literature review, limitations are still prevalent in the
knowledge regarding the direct effects of counseling on stress and anxiety. Although
medication management and individual therapy have been noted to be the most effective
treatment, it is still unknown if the effects of counseling alone can be as beneficial. It
would be of benefit to further investigate the effects of counseling as an unaccompanied
treatment for stress and anxiety.