In some social circles, there’s a certain stigma that goes with seeking out therapy. Some people prefer to keep their anxieties and fears to themselves, while others may feel that it’s looked down on or seen as a sign of weakness. However, seeking out therapy, whether it be for anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship woes, or addictions, necessitates strength and courage as you confront these challenges and choose a path of healing. It is one of the best things you can do for your mental health and wellbeing.
Although some problems are tolerable, others may be overwhelming and unmanageable. This is where you can really benefit from the advantages of a therapist. Regardless of the frequency, intensity, or difficulty of the problem, a therapist can help to bring some clarity to the situation and has the knowledge to give you the coping skills to manage your life effectively.
Here are 5 solid reasons to seek out and benefit from a therapist:
Reason #1: Self-care is important. Just like you go to the doctor when you are sick or hurt, it’s equally important to take care of your mental health when you feel confused, anxious, angry, or depressed. Healthy self-care practices include taking care of your overall health. A mental health professional is there to listen to your problems and help you find solutions that suit you, and is a trusted professional with whom you can unload all the “heavy stuff” without censoring the sensitive details.
Reason #2: You need an unbiased outlet. Friends and family are often times great sources of support. However, as well-meaning as they try to be, the conversation frequently gets shifted from you and your unique experience and turns into what they did to fix a similar issue. Their advice, as well intentioned as it is, may not apply to you or your situation. Also, when you disclose problems, friends and family may take it personally and have a negative reaction if the advice they gave isn’t followed.
Sometimes, disclosing vulnerable information to someone who knows you is hard. You could feel judged, it could make the relationship strained or awkward, or you could then become worried that the information isn’t completely confidential. A therapist values your privacy.
Reason #3: Understand the meaning of your hardship. It’s normal and natural to wonder, “why me?” When you have a professional therapist to help you find a sense of meaning to a tough situation or challenge, it can often diminish the severity of the problem. Therapy is a process that, with time, can help you discover the lesson your problem has given you and move forward on a clearer path to achieve your goals can teach you to find the silver lining. Good therapy is not an overnight solution. It is an ongoing investment in your overall health.
Reason #4: Attain different perspectives. Sometimes when we are going through a tough time or a difficult situation, it’s easy to get tunnel vision. A therapist offers alternative solutions and opens up discussion to help you realize there are alternative ways to tackle a problem. Therapy can broaden your perspective and eventually help you to overcome the stressor that is impacting your health and wellbeing.
Reason #5: Learn strategies for coping. Therapy can help you learn new coping strategies, so you learn to manage current problems as well as how to take those strategies and apply them to future issues. Successful strategies will help you learn to manage and minimize stress and anxiety. A good therapist will give you many strategies to try to implement and, together, you will discover those strategies that work best for you. At Mindsy Psychology, one of our goals is to give you the confidence to know you are in control of managing your problems and that you can do this!
Everyone has hardships, stressors, and problems in their life. It’s life! But you don’t have to experience the pain, stress, and anxiety alone. You can benefit from seeing a therapist and learning the skills to effectively manage stressors that pop up in your life.
At Mindsy Psychology, our therapists offer strategies, coping methods, exercises, and relaxation methods to help you. We are here to help you through these challenging times.
Due to COVID-19, we have currently transitioned to providing our Mindsy Psychology services through Telehealth platforms until we can re-open our Chicago, IL location. If you would like to find out about our services and how we can help you through this tough time, please give us a call today at 312.761.4747 or book a consultation online. Mindsy Psychology is located at 2202 N Lincoln Avenue, Suite 7, Chicago, IL, 60614.