Three Reasons to Start Therapy
Whether this is your first go around with therapy or you’re a veteran client, deciding to pick up the phone (or open your laptop) and start with a therapist can be overwhelming. Sometimes people question whether their problems are “big enough” for therapy or they know something is off but don’t really know what to talk about. That’s completely normal and okay! Part of your therapist’s job is to help you figure out what’s got you in a funk and create a plan to get you back to feeling more like yourself. Below I’ll talk about 3 common reasons my clients have reached out to me.
1 - your relationships are stressful
It could be a friendship, a coworker relationship, a marriage, a familial relationship or any other type of relationship. You notice it’s causing you stress. When you see a text pop up from that certain person, your heart beats a little faster - and not in an excited, butterflies-in-your-tummy kind of way. You run through made-up scenarios in your mind about this person and how you’d handle them. Or how you wish you could handle them, but when the time comes, you feel frozen or can’t seem to find the words. Maybe when you think about your significant other, you don’t feel that spark of excitement or adoration you used to. You’ve been snapping back, and your fuse is much shorter than normal. You’re quick to become defensive when you wish you could be calmer and understanding.
A therapist can help you understand your role in relationships and make the necessary changes to live more authentically you.
2 - emotions control you
Having emotions is a universal human experience. Experiencing heightened emotions isn’t necessarily a problem in itself, however, when those feelings start to dictate and overrun your life, it’s probably time to seek professional help.
You really want to try that workout class, but the thought of going for the first time by yourself fills you with enough dread and anxiety that you just won’t go. Every time your partner wants to have a night away with their friends, you’re filled with jealousy and annoyance, so you pick a fight. Your manager gives you some negative feedback, and you feel embarrassed or angry. You immediately retreat into your shell and decide to stop contributing during meetings or sharing your ideas. The thought of being shut down too overwhelming to handle.
3 - you saw something that spoke to you
Social media is full of therapists and regular people alike sharing their experiences. You just watched a video of someone recapping their therapy session, and their lived experience sounds a lot like yours. Now, you’re curious what therapy can do for you. You know you’ve been through some shit, and you’ve never really addressed it. You start to think therapy might be worth a shot to see what you can find out about yourself.
Start the process. Scour Psychology Today for therapists in your area and reach out to a couple before deciding which is right for you. Taking that first step to send an email or pick up the phone is by far the hardest. Do it for you.