Arian Foster -- I Sought Counseling For Personal Issues ... I'm Better For It

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster says he went to counseling to deal with several off-the-field issues -- presumably surrounding his divorce -- but says it was one of the best decisions he ever made.

As we previously reported, Foster's wife filed for divorce back in July -- more than a year after Arian fathered a child with another woman.

Moments ago, Foster addressed the media ... and turned the spotlight on his personal life -- saying, "I've been through some of the most tough times personally this last year but emotionally I'm probably the happiest I've ever been in my life."

Foster admits at first, "I thought I was too cool to get counseling. I thought I was above that" ... but says, "The only reason I'm talking about it now is because I know a lot of people out there now feel like I used to to feel."