Can psychological counseling improve emotional problems?

Generally speaking, if emotional issues are caused by work-related stress, psychological counseling is usually effective in improving the condition. However, if an individual suffers from a severe mental illness, psychological counseling alone typically cannot bring about significant improvement. Detailed explanations are as follows:

When experiencing negative emotional states such as anxiety, depression, or irritability, psychological counseling can provide a safe environment for individuals to express their inner troubles and relieve emotional pressure. For emotional problems caused by excessive work stress, communication with a psychological counselor allows individuals to express their anxiety and, under the counselor's guidance, identify the source of stress and subsequently alleviate anxious feelings.

If a person suffers from a severe mental disorder, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, psychological counseling alone is often insufficient to achieve fundamental therapeutic effects. These conditions usually require comprehensive interventions such as medication and physical treatments, with psychological counseling serving only as an adjunct therapy. For example, patients with major depression may have imbalances in brain neurotransmitters, which cannot be resolved solely through psychological counseling.

During psychological counseling, it is important to actively confront problems and believe that emotional conditions can be improved through effort.