Why I’ll Always Believe That Therapy Can Be Helpful to Anyone Willing to Try It | Guest Post by Kate Harveston
Are you one of the many who shy away from attending therapy because of the stigma associated with mental health disorders? You don’t have to feel like you’re losing your mind to reap the benefits. Even if you don’t have a diagnosed mental illness, talking with a trained professional can help you process challenging emotions and navigate life’s obstacles. I’ve benefited significantly from therapy, and I believe it helps anyone willing to give it a go. Even if you have attended in the past without success, it’s useful to give it another try. Just like you get along with some colleagues better than others, it can take time to find the right therapeutic fit. Once you do, however, your well-being will improve.
Why People Need Therapy More Than Ever
Let’s face it — we live in a chaotic world. Many people today can’t remember a time when America hasn’t been engaged in war. Furthermore, the reality of climate change has created excessive anxiety. While not a clinical disorder in itself, eco-anxiety can significantly exacerbate the symptoms of other health woes. Plus, many Americans haven’t had a meaningful raise in decades, while the costs of living continue to rise seemingly unchecked. Who wouldn’t feel at least a bit on edge?
Many Gen Xers lost everything during the Great Recession and had to rebuild from scratch at a time in their careers where they should be enjoying a comfortable living. Millennial’s also have it rough — many can’t remember a time when economic pressures didn’t loom over their heads like a black sword. It should come as no surprise that nearly a third of this generation experiences major depression, and many fall prey to other mental and physical health woes.
Even if you think you’re doing okay, it’s helpful to talk to an objective third party about the pressures weighing on your mind. People don’t exist in vacuums, and even the brightest among us don’t know everything. Your therapist can suggest coping strategies that help you navigate life’s challenges more effectively.
Five Reasons to Book a Therapy Appointment Today
Do you need more reason to give your therapist a call? Consider the following five — you don’t have to be mentally ill to reap benefits.
To Get Career Guidance
Your satisfaction at work substantially impacts your overall happiness in life. After all, many of us spend at least half of our waking hours on the clock. If you feel miserable for that much of a percentage of your life, it’s sure to spill over into other areas.
A career counselor can help you find answers to questions like, “what kind of activities are fulfilling for me?” They can then help you outline a strategy to reach your goals. Whether you seek a promotion to the corner office or a higher degree of work-life balance, the right therapist can assist you in your job search.
Even if you’re not considering any sort of major career change, therapy can still be a good place to just blow off some steam about the regular workaday struggles. During times in my own life where I wasn’t experiencing my most intense struggles with my own mental health problems, I’ve used my regular therapy appointment as a safe space to vent about work and just have a listening ear to validate my feelings of work-related stress.
To Strengthen Bonds with Loved Ones
Your relationships bring much joy and satisfaction to your life when they’re healthy. If you find yourself trapped in a toxic relationship, it can exacerbate existing mental health woes and lead to a downward spiral, even if you previously felt fine. You can attend couple’s therapy if your partner is willing to work with you on improving. If not, you can go alone to determine if staying or leaving makes more sense for your well-being.
I’ve been in relationships that benefitted from couples’ therapy and some that were beyond repair. But my current partner and I have gained a great deal of knowledge about ourselves, our love languages and our communication styles just by going to therapy. Even during times when we only went every so often, having an unbiased party to help us sort through the trials and tribulations of young love was invaluable!
To Process Grief and Tragedy
Even the most mentally healthy of us experience grief. For example, when my dog passed away, my therapist was my guardian angel. Especially given that a lot of people tend to invalidate the pain of losing a pet, I don’t know how I would have made it through that challenging period without her guidance and shoulder upon which to cry.
To Overcome Disordered Patterns
Millions of Americans struggle with addictions to various substances, even food. For example, I used to only pay attention to the way that binge drinking on the weekends made me feel on Sunday. I learned the hard way eventually that habits like that can wreak havoc on your physical health in the long-term.
Nearly everyone overindulges now and then, but using food or alcohol to cope with negative emotions can lead to weight gain, automobile accidents and problems at home and work. The right therapist can help you return to healthier patterns, as mine has helped me.
To Achieve Your Maximum Potential
Who doesn’t want to be the best version of themselves? I know that since beginning work with my therapist, I’ve experienced significant gains in both my personal life and career. Learning coping skills for tough situations has enabled me to handle life’s stressors with more ease. I can’t recommend the process highly enough.
Schedule an Appointment!
Even if you don’t have a mental illness, I guarantee you can benefit from therapy. Why not find qualified help and book your initial appointment today?