Let's Get Real: What's Therapy All About?

Therapy, which is also can be called "talk therapy" or "psychotherapy", is a method of treatment which the objective is to relieve emotional distress and mental health problems. It's provided by a range of trained professionals (social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors) and involves examining and gaining insight into life choices and difficulties faced by individuals, couples, or families. Now, therapy sessions are typically structured meetings between a therapist and a client with the goal of improving some aspect of their life. The important piece is that the client works collaboratively with the therapist and can identify improvement and positive change over time.

Now, here's the kicker... Mental health has been stigmatized heavily. What this means is that it is often looked at as something "negative" and "uncool." If we go to the gym to maintain our physique, we eat healthy foods to live longer lives, why not take care of how we feel? Our minds are literally the most powerful tool that we can harness, they shape who we are and who we will become as well as influence our physical well-being and emotional state.

Therapy has been well-tested and deemed effective, although impressions matter when meeting with a therapist the first time. If you aren't feeling it, do your best at voicing it, maybe you just need some more time to think about who you would like to collaborate with. You have a choice. Though it may at first feel difficult to seek out therapy - the perks of effective therapy can transform your life.

Should I go to therapy?

Surprisingly, regardless of specific challenges, most people can benefit from having an impartial observer listen and offer guidance. When determining whether therapy is right for you, it's important to ask yourself whether you're feeling down, often thinking about a million things, you've been getting irritated more often than not. If yes, therapy would likely offer your the space and support needed to develop the tools to manage your mental health.

But... strong negative emotions aren't the only reason someone should seek therapy. For Real!? Yes, for real! If you are struggling with relationship challenges, you're feeling stuck in your career, you're an athlete and lost your purpose, you're finding yourself turning to drugs, alcohol, or anything unhealthy to deal with unpleasant events, you feel disconnected from the people around you, you may find therapy to be very helpful.

The journey begins with you

Now you've gotten a little bit more information about therapy. My hope is that this helps in your journey to seeking support.

If this helped you at all, provided you with more insight and made this feel more pleasant, please feel free to drop a comment.

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