So, you’re curious about trying therapy. Maybe you’ve been feeling off, or maybe a friend of yours told you about how much therapy has helped them. Whatever it is, something has triggered you to think, “hm… do I need that?”
For me, it was the experience of almost calling 911 when I had my first panic attack that pushed me to give it a try, but you don’t have to have an intense moment to be convinced. Therapy does not have to be seen as a last resort. In fact, simply having a desire to go to therapy is a valid enough reason to go. No matter who you are or what you’re going through, therapy can be beneficial. Here are a few experiences that can signal a stronger need for therapy:
You rarely feel relaxed:
It’s normal to experience a range of emotions each day, but if you feel consistently overwhelmed and have a difficult time managing these feelings, therapy can help you cultivate more stability.
You’ve experienced trauma and it’s still impacting you:
Especially if you experienced trauma in your childhood, it’s possible it has had a lasting effect on your wellbeing. Therapy can help you heal those unresolved wounds.
You feel stuck in a negative headspace:
This may show up as being overly critical of yourself and/or others or being hyper focused on the deficits in your life. If you’re experiencing this and you’re struggling to challenge those negative thoughts, therapy can help you develop more uplifting and hopeful thinking patterns.
You’re having relationship issues:
Conflict is normal and healthy in moderation, but if you notice you’re having a hard time getting along with people in various contexts of your life (significant other(s), family, friends, coworkers), therapy can help you build skills for more effective communication and conflict management.
You notice you’ve fallen into unhealthy patterns or habits:
No one lives a perfectly healthy lifestyle, but if you’ve been repeatedly doing things that you know aren’t good for you, like disordered eating or substance use, this may be a sign that something beneath the surface needs to be addressed.
You forget what it feels like to be excited:
Maybe you don’t have as much interest or motivation as you did before, or maybe you just feel kind of “meh” in general. Therapy can help you reconnect to a sense of purpose and joy.
Going to therapy does not mean that you’re “crazy” or broken. Therapy is for anyone who wants to change, improve, or grow. If this sounds like you, consider giving it a try
