How Do I Know if I Need to go to Therapy?
The new year often brings with it a renewed perspective of ourselves and our lives, past and future. As we look forward, we may identify new intentions for self-growth. It’s not uncommon during this time to begin asking yourself, “How do I know if I need to go to therapy?” The following post is designed to help you determine whether or not therapy is right for you during this season to help you reach your goals.
When You Feel Your Emotions Are Out of Your Control:
It can be overwhelming when we feel like our emotions are controlling us. Whether that’s in our responses to others, our inability to to complete tasks we plan to complete, or in the knowingly unhealthy actions we take when dealing with big emotions. Although health does not look like the absence of big and uncomfortable emotions, health can look like an ability to feel in control when these emotions strike. Therapy is designed to help you feel more of this control and find health in your emotions.
Please note: If you are having any thoughts about harming yourself or someone else, please reach out for help immediately. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or 911. You can also go straight to your local hospital emergency room.
When You Feel Stuck:
You’ve tried all of your normal coping, talked with friends, looked for advice on the internet, but still have not been able to get out of this funk. Whether this is feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, or just another unpleasant emotion, sometimes what we’re dealing with is more than we are able to manage on our own. Therapists are trained to sit with you and help you find a way out of these stuck areas.
When it’s Getting in the Way of Work/School, Home, or Interpersonal Life:
Emotional disturbances are considered dysfunctional when they begin interfering with our ability to operate in our day to day lives. Maybe you’ve noticed a difficulty concentrating or feeling motivated at work or school. Maybe you feel less connected to your friends and family. Or maybe you have a hard time even getting out of bed to participate in these aspects of life. Any of these situations could be cause for seeking out therapy. In therapy, you will develop goals with your therapist of where you would like to see change in your world and life. Emotional health can lead to more fullness in all areas of your life.
When Trusted People in Your Life Have Mentioned it to You:
Sometimes our loved ones are able to have a perspective that we can’t fully see in ourselves. While it is important to be wise to discern what is true from the advice of others, it may be worth taking an inward look and even assessing your life for the above situations if your loved ones have encouraged you to go to therapy. When we do realize that our loved ones might be right in their assessment, I know that it can feel overwhelming, scary, or even awkward to make the step to set up an appointment with a therapist. I encourage you to not let these feelings hold you back from contacting a professional. You can even let your therapist know you are experiencing this resistance and work together with your therapist to feel more comfortable.
When You’re Curious:
Maybe you’ve thought about going to therapy for a while and just haven’t followed through with it yet. Most people can benefit from talking to a professional, regardless of what they are struggling with in life or what goals they have. Therapists help provide a safe space for self-reflection and increased self-awareness. This type of practice can benefit most (if not all) individuals.
For more information about therapy, or to schedule your first appointment, please contact one of our therapists at SureHope. We’d be honored to walk with you on your journey.
Jessica – https://surehopecounseling.com/jessica-winebarger-ma-lpca/
