Therapy is Cool: 5 Reasons to Start Therapy

Therapy is an important investment in yourself and your health.

As a licensed therapist, I truly believe that therapy can be helpful for almost everyone. I’m also realistic in saying that there are others way to take care of your mental health, too. But therapy really is one of the best ways to address mental health needs.

If you haven’t tried therapy, or you’ve thought about it but aren’t quite sure yet, please keep reading to read about five common (and hopefully relatable) reasons to start your therapy journey.

You want support.

Therapy is an excellent place to find support. The support you’ll find in the therapy room is non-judgmental and caring. You may not have this kind of support in other areas of your life. Even if you have other supportive people in your life (which is great!), therapeutic support is still a different type of support that I believe everyone can benefit from.

You experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, ADD/ADHD, etc.

This one may seem obvious, but it is an important one. Some of these symptoms might look like:

• Changes in your eating or sleeping patterns

• Anger or irritability

• Difficulty focusing or completing tasks

• Flashbacks or nightmares

• Difficulty making or keeping healthy relationships

• Uncontrollable worries and fears

• Avoidance of certain places or situations

• Low self-esteem

• Self-harm or suicidal thoughts

• Physical symptoms, such as frequent headaches or stomachaches, gastrointestinal issues, chest pains, etc.

  • It is important to rule out physical causes with a primary care doctor.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above and more, therapy is a great place to explore how you experience these symptoms and create a plan for how to cope with them to minimize the impact they are having on your life.

You want to make a change.

If you don’t experience symptoms such as those described above, you can (wait for it) still benefit from therapy! Therapy can help you:

• Gain self-awareness and insight

• Create and meet your goals

• Build self-esteem and confidence

• Improve communication and relationship skills

• Build and improve your relationship with yourself

• Learn new skills to help you cope and approach life differently

• And so much more!

You are interested in trying it.

If you’re interested in trying it, there’s probably a reason for it. What’s holding you back? Some reasons you might not be reaching out:

• You grew up in a family or community that didn’t recognize mental health

• You still live in a community with mental health stigma

• You feel like you might be judged or teased for seeking therapy

• You are not sure you “need” it

• You have heard that it is expensive. If finances are a barrier, there are options around this - check your insurance benefits, try openpathcollective.org, or find a therapist who offers reduced fees.

• You know someone who had a negative experience with therapy. Not everyone’s experiences are the same. Check out one of my previous posts on 5 Keys to Success in Therapy and my next blog post, which will discuss why therapy isn’t working.

Do you relate to the reasons above or do you have another reason for not trying therapy?

You don’t need a reason.

That’s all. You don’t need a reason! If you live in Wisconsin or Florida and you’d like to schedule to meet with me, send me an email. You can also use Psychology Today, Good Therapy, Therapy Den, Therapy for Black Girls, and other search engines to find a therapist who fits for you. When looking for a therapist, it helps to search for a therapist who:

• Accepts your insurance or offers fees that meet your financial needs

• Is licensed to practice in your state

• Specializes or is trained in the concerns you are seeking therapy for (anxiety, depression, etc.)

• Uses a style or approach that you like

You can also stop therapy or change therapists at anytime. I do suggest trying a therapist for at least four sessions before switching (unless something drastically “wrong” happens within those first four sessions). It takes time to build a strong, trusting relationship with a therapist, and you may be missing out on a great experience if you cut it short at less than four sessions.

In many ways, therapy can be life changing. There are so many different reasons to seek therapy because it can be helpful in so many different ways. If you’re considering it, please feel free to reach out to someone. That first step can be the hardest and scariest, but you can do it.