info@drchalice.com | (856) 441-3177
  • Behance
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Make an Appointment: info@drchalice.com | (856) 441-3177
logo
Contact Now Schedule an Appointment

info@drchalice.com | (856) 441-3177

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, Values
    • My work
    • Youtube Channel
  • Services
    • Virtual Video Professional Counseling
      • Christian Counseling
      • Clinical Trauma Therapy
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Conflict Resolution
      • Counseling for Anxiety
      • Couples Counseling
      • Divorce Recovery Therapy
      • Family Counseling
      • Grief & Bereavement Counseling
      • Group Therapy
      • Individual Therapy
      • Life Transitions
      • Pre-Marital Counseling
      • Telehealth
      • Therapy for Depression
      • Women’s Issues
      • The Wellness Path Collaborative
    • The Wellness Path Collaborative
      • Living Water Women’s Wellness Retreat
      • The Wellness Path Group Therapy Collective
    • Cancer Corner: Survivorship Support
    • Continuing Education Training
    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant
    • Keynote Speaker
    • Meet Our Partners
  • Getting Started
    • FAQs
    • Rates and Insurance
    • Client Portal
      (for current clients only)
    • Appointment Request
    • Payment
  • Resources
    • Mental Health Links
    • Physical Health Links
    • Spiritual Health Links
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Online Bookstore
    • My Publications
      • The Wellness Path
      • TeleMental Health
      • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
      • Scholarly Publications
Close menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, Values
    • My work
    • Youtube Channel
  • Services
    • Virtual Video Professional Counseling
      • Christian Counseling
      • Clinical Trauma Therapy
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Conflict Resolution
      • Counseling for Anxiety
      • Couples Counseling
      • Divorce Recovery Therapy
      • Family Counseling
      • Grief & Bereavement Counseling
      • Group Therapy
      • Individual Therapy
      • Life Transitions
      • Pre-Marital Counseling
      • Telehealth
      • Therapy for Depression
      • Women’s Issues
      • The Wellness Path Collaborative
    • The Wellness Path Collaborative
      • Living Water Women’s Wellness Retreat
      • The Wellness Path Group Therapy Collective
    • Cancer Corner: Survivorship Support
    • Continuing Education Training
    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant
    • Keynote Speaker
    • Meet Our Partners
  • Getting Started
    • FAQs
    • Rates and Insurance
    • Client Portal
      (for current clients only)
    • Appointment Request
    • Payment
  • Resources
    • Mental Health Links
    • Physical Health Links
    • Spiritual Health Links
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Online Bookstore
    • My Publications
      • The Wellness Path
      • TeleMental Health
      • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
      • Scholarly Publications
  • Behance
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
(856) 441-3177

info@drchalice.com

How Counseling Can Help You Reach Your Goals in the New Year

January 1, 2021 by Chalice Rhodes

If you struggle to set goals, let alone reach them, you are definitely not alone. In fact, it is thought that roughly 92% of the population has found it hard to stick to goals. This constant cycle of trying to set beneficial life or health goals, but never quite reaching them, can ultimately lead to depression.

That’s because reaching goals is empowering and helps us feel we are in charge of our life. When we don’t reach goals, we feel powerless and even hopeless that our lives can change for the better!

How Counseling Can Help

Just as you must follow a recipe to the proverbial “T” to end up with something edible, there is a formula that must be followed to the “T” to set reachable goals. This formula is often used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals set and reach goals that will help them change behaviors and better their lives.

Goal setting has actually been shown to be a useful tool for those suffering from depression according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE. The study found that individuals suffering from depression had more trouble setting goals and were far less likely to believe they could reach them.

The study found that those who were depressed had more difficulties setting goals and they were also less likely to believe they would achieve those goals. The participants also tended to set avoidance goals rather than approach goals.

An avoidance goal is one you set to avoid a negative outcome. “I want to lose weight so I don’t develop type 2 diabetes.” An approach goal, on the other hand, is one that you set to ensure a positive outcome. “I want to lose weight to have more energy!”

The study shows that counseling can help people with depression set and achieve realistic and achievable goals as well as help them stay on track mentally in pursuit of that goal.

The goal-setting formula used by most CBT therapists is as follows:

  • Identify your goal.
  • Choose a starting point.
  • Identify the steps required to achieve the goal.
  • Take that first step and get started.

A therapist can help you with each one of these steps. From ensuring you select realistic goals that are approach goals, to helping you identify where you are in relation to your goal, breaking down the goal into smaller, actionable steps, and helping you take that very first one, a counselor or coach will be in your corner, helping you every step of the way.

Make 2021 the year you reach those goals that will help you live your best life. If you’d like some help getting there, please get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

 

SOURCES:

  • https://positivepsychology.com/goal-setting-counseling-therapy/
  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/notes-self/201308/how-set-goals
  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/functioning-flourishing/201706/are-you-setting-the-right-goals

Filed Under: General

(856) 441-3177
info@drchalice.com

By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.

About Me

Dr. Chalice’s work has been locally, nationally and internationally recognized. She has been featured by Susan G. Komen, 6 ABC News Philadelphia, WTVM 9 ABC News, WDAS 105.3 FM, The Black Family Magazine, and The Voice of Canada. In 2024, she was honored with multiple awards including The Best in New Jersey Magazine, the Top Doc Counseling Excellence Award, SJ Mag Media’s Business Excellence Award, and a listing in Marquis Who’s Who in America 2024.

Office Hours

Monday & Tuesday
11 am – 6 pm

Wednesday & Thursday
8 am- 1 pm

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Contact Information

(856) 441-3177
info@drchalice.com

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025, Dr. Chalice C. Rhodes, Licensed Professional Counselor, Renew, Restore, Hope, Peace, Harmony, Vitality®, All rights reserved.

Website by Brighter Vision