Is Therapy for me?

There’s no secret that mental health stigma still exists. Unfortunately, the idea still exists that therapy is for people who have lost it, for people who can’t manage through the daily struggles of life, for people who can’t handle life, for people who are struggling so badly that they are not participating in life.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Therapy is for people who want change, who want someone to listen, who are looking for support, who are looking for a place to be vulnerable, or who need a resource that is not vested in their lives. 

Therapy is a relationship where you are able to be completely yourself, unapologetically. There are many reasons that people start therapy.

People continue therapy because they feel the benefit. 

Here are some reasons people might seek out a therapeutic relationship:

• Help processing an upcoming major life decision

• Help managing symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or fear

• Help moving through a traumatic event or situation

• Help improving the relationships in your life

• Help making changes in your life

• Help in improving your sense of self

These are just a few of the reasons, but the common theme here is help. The therapeutic relationship is not one where things will be done for you, where you will be scorned for not meeting your goals, or where you will be chastised for making poor decisions.

The relationship will help you to grow, adapt, assess, and thrive as you hope to. 

Once you get to the point that you would like to, the therapeutic relationship often continues in maintenance style. Think about your car. You get regular oil changes because you want to make sure it continues to run well. Regular therapeutic maintenance can keep you running well and on the track that you want to be. 

So no, therapy isn’t for people who have lost it. Therapy is for people who have the courage to get it together.