How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or romantic relationships
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy can provide long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to recognize and manage triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome challenges.
Why do people go to therapy?
People have many different motivations for seeking therapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, loss), whereas others may find that their coping skills are not able to manage their stressful circumstances. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement, support, and help build new coping skills and strategies to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective in reaching their goals in life.
What is therapy like?
Since each person has different concerns and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report any progress or insights gained from previous therapy sessions. Depending on a person's specific needs, therapy can be short-term, focused on a specific issue, or longer-term to address challenging patterns or a desire for personal development. It is most common to meet regularly for weekly sessions with your therapist. However, the frequency of sessions can also be individualized depending on a client's needs.