The original version of this article was originally published on KHTS.
Thankfully, we have moved past the stigmas around going to therapy and are slowly transitioning into a society where mental health is becoming a priority.
However, you may still think that you need to reach a breaking point before reaching out for help but that’s simply not true. There are several reasons why you’d want to seek help from a psychotherapist to aid you on your life journey.
There is no ‘right time’ to start therapy, but here are some indications that you might need to see a psychotherapist.
Difficult Life Experiences
We will inevitably all face difficult life experiences. These may come in the form of death, divorce, or job loss. Whatever the difficulty, if you find yourself struggling to cope with it, it is a good idea to seek therapy to help you work through it, encourage healing and give you the ability to move forward.
Death and the grief that comes with it can sometimes be considered taboo and can leave you feeling lonely and unable to process your emotions. Seeking psychotherapy can give you the space to carry out the grieving process in a safe and supportive environment. It can be difficult to reveal yourself in a vulnerable manner to even those who are closest to you; luckily, a psychotherapist can be a trust-worthy individual who is trained to deal with these types of processes in an objective manner.
Mental Illness
If you struggle with symptoms of depression, such as low moods, suicidal thoughts, or anxiety, psychotherapy is a great place to deal with this. Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness; through therapy, you can seek support, where you’ll be introduced to the tools that could help you deal with these symptoms and help improve your mental health. With the help of a professional, you can allow yourself to work through mental health challenges. The folks over at www.energeticsinstitute.com.au recommend a root cause approach where the therapist works with you to discover the root of the issue to overcome it effectively. Psychotherapy offers you a safe environment to unpack your wounds and get to know yourself on a deeper, more intimate level.
Relationships
Do you feel stuck in the same habits and patterns in your relationships, romantic or otherwise? If so, seeking help through psychotherapy can help you to work through these issues either with your partner or by yourself. It will give you space and support to figure out your needs and issues and provides you with the ability to connect with your partner healthily.
Even as a singleton, you might find yourself noticing that you have certain thoughts and beliefs around relationships that aren’t serving. Psychotherapy can help you work through this in order to call in the relationship you desire. You will gain a better understanding of yourself and your thoughts and how you show up in your relationships.
Addiction
Addictions can be the consumption of hard substances or even habits, and they include smoking, alcohol, or even gambling. Addiction can induce feelings of shame and distress. Being stuck in this cycle can be very difficult to deal with by yourself, but with the support of a professional, you can help break these cycles of shame and slowly overcome your addiction.
Feeling Stuck
Maybe it feels like a midlife crisis or perhaps you find yourself stuck in your job or relationship. Do you feel like there’s more to life than what you’re experiencing right now? Feeling stuck is a good indicator that you should reach out to a psychotherapist as they can help you navigate your feelings and beliefs that are making you feel this way.
By dealing with the things that we may have suppressed that could have led to this feeling of being stuck or stagnant, we give ourselves the gift of moving forward and living a life of purpose. Even if it doesn’t feel like a big enough problem to take to therapy, we may surprise ourselves with what we learn and unearth the ability to heal from whatever is holding us back.
Self-Mastery
Getting to know ourselves and how we work is vital to living a full life. Self-awareness gives us space and the ability to master ourselves and therefore our lives. Without knowing who we are we may find it difficult to navigate life in a meaningful way. Getting a better handle on your emotions and improving your emotional intelligence can give you a better quality of life and provide you with greater resilience and strength.
Attending psychotherapy can be an incredibly freeing and nurturing experience, whether you attend because of a specific reason or just because you want to better yourself. Allow yourself to stay open to the possibilities and growth it can bring and know that psychotherapy can be for anyone at any stage in their life.
The original version of this article was originally published on KHTS.
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