DEAR KELLY: Our English teacher made us write you so here is my question.

My parents are going through a divorce. I'm cool with it. I've expected it for a long time and things are way better with my parents apart. But my parents insist on making me go see a counselor. I don't want to go and have resisted so far. I seriously see no need for me to go and can't see why or how it would help when I have no problems with the divorce.

Aren't there some people who can deal with their problems on their own and don't need a therapist?

– Chad

DEAR CHAD: Good question. Yes, many people have the tools within themselves to work through issues and push forward in life without the help of a therapist. Not everyone needs a therapist, but most people can benefit from having someone to confidentially talk to and get things off their chest.

Going through a divorce can bring on different emotions – even relief. Often, people think their feelings are simple and manageable. And they can be. But there also can be underlying feelings that need to be addressed as well.

Issues like why you feel relieved that your parents split or what life was like with them together might need to be processed at some point.

Talking to a counselor, if only for a brief time, can open the lines of communication to all topics or feelings – even those you don't even think are there.

Who knows? You might actually find counseling to be different than you imagined. You might discover a different kind of relief when you openly talk about what has happened to your family.

Holding all your emotions in and never talking about things can affect your body and lead to things like ulcers or migraine headaches. Or cause you to implode in other areas of your life that seemingly have nothing to do with what happened to your parents' marriage.

I respect that you don't want to talk with a counselor right now. But who knows if you will feel this way in two months or even a year? Talk with a counselor now, if only for two or three sessions, so you feel comfortable coming back if you want to. Establishing a relationship now with your therapist can be very beneficial in the future.

DEAR KELLY: I'm a guy in the school choir. That doesn't make me gay or bisexual or even weird. But when I tell people I'm in the choir, they always look at me a little weird and ask if I play sports or do anything else they consider "guylike."

I'm starting to not like telling people I'm in the choir. What's wrong with being in the choir or liking to sing?

– Singer gone sour

DEAR SINGER: There is nothing wrong with your decision to sing in the choir. Sing loud. Sing proud. Don't let others change how you feel about singing. Sometimes people say ignorant things and you need to ignore them and continue to do what you love.

If someone struggles with you being a singer, that's their issue, not yours. Keep singing and have fun in the choir.

DEAR KELLY: I'm a senior in high school (17) and my boyfriend is 24. Do you think there is something wrong with this?

People make a big deal over our age difference. I really don't think seven years is that big of a deal. When he is 67 and I am 60, will anyone care?

– In Love

Dear In Love: There is something wrong with a 24-year-old man dating a 17-year-old girl. Not only is it inappropriate and possibly illegal depending on what you have done together, it's also pretty creepy. He should be dating people his age, not high school students your age.

Seven years might not seem like a big deal when you are 60, but it is a big deal when you are 17. Would you date a 10-year-old?