Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
How can Therapy Help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, awareness, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image and other issues you may be struggling with. Many people also find that therapists can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the stress of daily life. Therapists can help provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy may include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing deeper emotional experiences for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, anxiety, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communication and listening interactions
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to interact in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
- Safe place to explore struggles and challenges.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy may provide long-lasting benefits and support, giving you more awareness, understanding, solutions, to help move towards growth and change.
What is Therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual, couple, or family. In general, you can expect to discuss the current event you are struggling with in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist.
It is important to understand that you may get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process.
