Why See a Counsellor When We Can Just Listen to Motivational Talks?

By Angel Chan

Founder and Director of WOODS Counselling and Art Therapy

A lot of people tell me they don’t feel the need to talk to a therapist about their problems. Some even think it’s odd to pay someone just to talk! Many feel they can manage on their own by tuning into motivational talks from gurus.

Yes, motivational talks can lift us up. They give us a quick boost, fresh ideas, and can make us feel inspired. But if we’re looking for real, lasting change, just listening isn’t enough. Research shows that working with a trained counsellor has stronger and more lasting effects on our personal growth and mental health (Lundahl et al., 2013).

Why Counselling Works Better:

• Personalized Help: Counsellors provide support that’s tailored just for us, offering specific tools and strategies that fit our personal needs.

• Proven Results: Studies show that counselling techniques like Motivational Interviewing work well to bring about real change and improve our well-being.

Why Motivational Talks Don’t Do It All:

• General Advice: Motivational talks are made for large audiences, so they often don’t address our unique challenges.

• Short-Lived Impact: The boost from a motivational talk is often temporary. Without ongoing support, it’s hard to keep up the positive energy.

If we want lasting change, we need a space to truly open up and let our own voice be heard. Real healing and growth happen when we express what’s inside us, honestly and safely. By talking things out, we can find our own answers and feel more free to live fully. That’s where a professional therapist comes in. Therapists listen in a way that goes beyond what’s said – they understand the feelings and meaning behind our words. They give us the kind of support that’s just for us, helping us discover our own insights and paths forward.

In Summary

While motivational talks can inspire us, professional counselling gives us personal, research-backed support that leads to real and lasting growth.

After attending countless workshops and seminars on well-being and women’s empowerment, I can confidently say that nothing compares to the transformative experience of working one-on-one with a therapist who truly listens. Having someone by your side who supports you through tough times and celebrates each step of your personal growth is invaluable. The self-discovery I achieved, guided by empathetic and compassionate therapists, has been the driving force behind where I am today—and I genuinely believe that this level of support is essential for anyone on their own journey of growth and empowerment.

I’d love to be that therapist for my clients – to support them in their journey toward a more fulfilling life.

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References

Hettema, J., Steele, J., & Miller, W. R. (2005). Motivational interviewing. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 1, 91-111. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.143833

Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

Lundahl, B., Moleni, T., Burke, B. L., Butters, R., Tollefson, D., Butler, C., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing in medical care settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Patient Education and Counseling, 93(2), 157-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2013.07.012