Reasons to go to therapy

Our mental health is an essential component of our overall well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act. It permeates every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our professional lives. Yet, numerous factors, such as stress, relationship challenges, or simply the demands of daily life, can take a toll on our mental well-being.

Moreover, our past experiences shape how we respond to the present moment, further impacting our mental health. It is important to recognise when we are struggling and to seek support when needed.

Debunking common misconceptions about therapy

There still exist several misconceptions surrounding therapy, which often deter individuals from seeking the help they need. One such misconception is the belief that therapy is solely for individuals grappling with difficult mental health issues. Another misconception is the idea that seeking therapy implies failure or weakness.

Contrary to these misconceptions, therapy is not limited to certain difficulties but is a valuable resource for anyone seeking support and growth. It requires courage and strength to acknowledge our struggles and pursue ways for improvement. Seeking therapy is a proactive approach and is an investment in our well-being; it signifies hope for positive change and a commitment to self-care.

Why go to therapy?

People seek therapy for various reasons, each as unique and diverse as the individuals themselves. If you find yourself on the fence about whether to seek therapy, here are some of the compelling reasons to encourage taking that leap.

Addressing current stressors:

Life can throw unexpected curveballs our way. Examples include separation, lack of work-life balance, job changes, moving, retirement, illnesses, and becoming a parent or children leaving home. Therapy equips us to approach things from different perspectives, helps us reconsider current coping strategies, and identifies our needs. This enables us to navigate life's challenges with greater resilience

Processing grief:

Grief is a natural response to loss, often accompanied by feelings of sadness, shock, anger, disbelief, and numbness. Grief is not only related to the loss of a loved one; any loss will require us to go through a grieving process. Therapy provides us with a safe space to express emotions and navigate the grieving process.

Managing anxiety and low mood:

Therapy offers an exploratory process to understand what is going on for us. Once we understand this in the light of past and current experiences, how to manage our anxiety and low mood becomes clearer. During this process, therapy can offer coping strategies to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression effectively. Most importantly though, therapy offers a different relational experience where we feel heard and valued which in itself can be healing.

Processing past experiences:

Unresolved experiences and trauma can manifest in various ways, affecting our mental health and relationships. Therapy facilitates healing by providing a supportive and impartial environment to process these experiences.

Improving relationships:

One of the benefits of therapy is healthier relationships, with ourselves and others. Through therapy, we become more connected to our thoughts and feelings. This helps us to connect with others and be open to the thoughts and feelings of our friends, loved ones, and acquaintances. In therapy, we can explore our communication patterns, our attachment styles, and the roles we take in relational dynamics.

Increasing self-awareness:

Therapy encourages introspection and self-reflection, leading to greater self-awareness. Understanding our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours empowers us to make conscious choices aligned with our values and goals.

Changing unhelpful patterns:

This is connected to increasing self-awareness. Therapy helps us identify and change unhelpful patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, which have a positive effect on overall well-being.

If you are ready to take the first step, reach out to a therapist to discuss your needs, hopes, and expectations and find out if you can benefit from therapy.