If you’ve never been to therapy before, the idea of starting can seem daunting. It might feel strange to reach out to someone you don’t know for help. It might be hard to even admit you need help in the first place. You might think that wanting help means there’s something wrong with you.
None of us are experts at life. We all have times when we have a problem that is difficult to solve on our own.
Therapy can be beneficial to anyone who is feeling stressed, worried, overwhelmed, depressed, or just generally dissatisfied with life. It can even be used by people who are doing well but want to make life even better.
When you have a problem in other areas, what do you do? If you’re having a health issue, you go to a doctor. If you have a problem with your teeth, you see a dentist. If your car starts making a funny sound, you take it to a mechanic.
A therapist is someone who can help when your soul is in distress.
Why talk to a therapist versus a friend or a family member? One of the joys of therapy is talking with someone who has no stake in your life decisions. I’m not biased in the way that friends or family members can be, and I won’t judge you for the decisions you make.
Another joy is that the therapeutic relationship is all about YOU. You don’t have to spend time or energy checking in with me about how I’m doing. When you are with me, both of our time and energy are solely focused on you. It’s one of the few relationships in life where that’s allowed.
People who go through therapy can relax, let go of their worries, cope with challenges in better ways, find new perspectives, experience more fulfillment in relationships, and feel happier. Life gets richer.
It’s an investment in yourself or your family that’s worth making.