WHY SHOULD I GO TO THERAPY?

First of all, what is therapy? Therapy is treatment intended to heal or relieve. In
the scope of mental health, it is called psychotherapy. It’s where you talk with either a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health provider in a safe, judgment-free zone. Therapy helps with a diverse set of mental health issues, but what’s great is that going to therapy is worth it even if you do not have a medical problem.

Let’s start by talking about some of the reasons why people DON’T want to go to
therapy. Are you familiar with any of these thoughts?

1) Therapy doesn’t work
2) It’s too expensive
3) I’ve tried it and nothing has changed
4) Therapy is only for people with serious mental health issues

“Therapy doesn’t work’’

Our therapists use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT) among many others to help you set goals and measure results. The
purpose is to leave you with long-term, healthy coping strategies that you can
implement in your life. The simple truth about therapy is…… it really works! Scientific studies consistently show that behavioral and emotional interventions work very well to treat a variety of mental health problems.

“It’s too expensive”

Why pay for something when I can fix the problem myself? We have all had these thoughts. But This mentality puts more stress on ourselves on top of what we are already dealing with. Think of therapy as an investment in yourself. Talking to a therapist is different from talking to your best friend or family because they are trained professionals who have spent a majority of their life learning ways to help you.

“I’ve tried it and nothing has changed”

Have you ever scratched a scab? Broken a bone? If so, we probably have all noticed
something in common: healing takes time. Sometimes you can take 10 steps forward only to be set 5 steps back. This applies to therapy too. It will take time before symptoms start to improve. Depending on why you are seeking therapy, sessions can range from just one to over the course of a year or more. Going to therapy and not seeing any changes may be frustrating, and that is the reason why many people stop going. It is good to keep in mind some factors that impact how effective therapy is:

1) The approach. There is no single, correct type of treatment that works for
everyone. If you feel as if their approach is not helping you, communicate with
your therapist. They will help you explore other options.
2) The therapist-client relationship. The bond and sense of trust established
between a therapist and client has a profound effect on the success of
therapy. Building this relationship will take more than one session.

“Therapy is only for people with serious mental health issues”

This is a common thought but let me tell you: whether you’re feeling overwhelmed,
wanting to improve your work performance, or dealing with marital problems, therapy can help you, too. No one is immune to stress or sadness. We often try to fix these issues ourselves and succeed, but other times we notice patterns that we haven’t been able to change on our own. We begin to feel overwhelmed, which affects our lives, relationships, and work. Therapy is the fastest, most effective way to overcome these emotional and behavioral issues that intrude our lives.

Now let’s talk about reasons why you SHOULD go to therapy.

1) You’ll learn more about yourself
2) Therapy can help you achieve your goals
3) Therapy can help you have more fulfilling relationships
4) You are more likely to have better health
5) You learn unique problem-solving methods that help you cope in the face of
challenges and difficulties
6) Therapy can lead to improvement in all areas of your life

Hundreds of studies have found that psychotherapy helps people make positive
changes in their lives. If you have tried everything and nothing seems to work, keep an open mind and begin your journey with therapy.