Do I Need A Therapist?

So often, friends, family, and potential clients will ask, “do you think I should be in therapy?” And all too often, the answer is pretty simple…yes.

Now you may be reading this thinking, “well, that’s pretty presumptive; you don’t even know what my problem is.” And you would be right, but honestly, I really don’t need to because I know that if your struggles have gotten you to a place where you’re questioning if therapy would be beneficial, then you’re likely past the point where therapy should have begun.

Thankfully, it is never too late to start!

If you’re like millions of others who struggle to recognize if it’s time to connect with a therapist, you’re not alone. Let’s review a few of the red flags that could help get you to the starting line:

Loss of functioning

The title may sound dramatic, however, this is one of the primary symptoms mental health professionals look for to determine the severity of your issues and formulate an effective treatment plan. An individual's level of functioning can differ from person to person, so it’s important not to apply what is normal for you to someone else. However, understanding your own baseline level of functioning is critical to recognize how your depression, anxiety, trauma, or mental illness has impacted your life. Here are a few examples:

·      Typically a very social person, you’ve withdrawn from hanging out with friends, no longer returning calls, and avoid social gatherings. Perhaps this is because you feel sad, numb, or depressed. Maybe it’s because you’re feeling anxious and overwhelmed. No matter the feeling, this is concerning.

·      You no longer want to go out of the house—not to work, the store, or to run errands.

·      You’ve been neglecting personal hygiene needs.

·      You can make it to work or school, but recently you’ve been missing assignments, unable to perform your regular tasks, or have become combative and argumentative with co-workers.

·      You’ve started using drugs and alcohol in an effort to “deal” with the stresses of daily life.

. You're struggling to keep up with typically easy parenting tasks and responsibilities, leaving your children to take on more adult-like duties and the need to care for you.

Feeling stuck

Oftentimes people seek out therapy not because they’re necessarily experiencing the difficult challenges of anxiety and depression but rather because they are feeling stuck in their own lives. Perhaps you’re feeling stuck in your job or your relationships. Maybe you’re feeling like life has suddenly become stagnate and unfulfilling, and you’re struggling to discover what move to make next. Is it fear that is holding you back, or is having unrealistic expectations left you feeling like success is impossible?

Therapy is a great way to get unstuck by exploring what it is that motivates you, as well as what it is that is holding you back.

Loss of control

Have you ever felt like you had everything under control? Your career is going great, you’re crushing it at school, your friends are great, and you’re on a path to success, and then from somewhere out of left field, BAM!, everything appears to be going wrong. At first, you try to right the ship, only to find you're still taking in water, and the ship is on fire. Nothing you do is working. Nothing you say is working. Suddenly you’re drowning in self-doubt and uncertainty.

We often have the mental, emotional, and physical resources to overcome a momentary crisis. However, if the challenges persist, our resources run dry, our reserves become depleted, and we are left physically exhausted, emotionally drained, and second-guessing ourselves along the way.

Therapy can help you regain control of your life, teach you the skills to help navigate the storms, and strengthen the foundation of your success.

These are only a few of the signs that may indicate your need for therapy. If you’re dealing with something I’ve not listed above, know this—whatever your struggle, it is valid, and there is help.

Now, you may be thinking, “I don’t need a therapist, my family is supportive, and that’s what I have friends for.” Fabulous! I could never express enough how valuable it is to have a strong and supportive social circle. However, sometimes it’s difficult for those who care about you to provide the objective perspective you need. Also, I often hear from clients how they avoid sharing their problems with loved ones because they fear they’re being a “burden” or will upset others with their problems.

Having a therapist provides you the freedom to share without the responsibility of protecting others from your struggles.

So, if you’re still asking yourself the question, “do I need to go to therapy” then I would strongly encourage you to give it a try.

Can it feel awkward at first? Yep! But it will get easier. Does everyone in your life need to know you’re in therapy? Nope-only those that you choose to share it with. Will you immediately connect with the first therapist you find? Maybe not, and that’s okay, but you will never know until you show up…not for us (your therapist), but for yourself.

You deserve to live a life of peace, happiness, and success.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss how I may be able to support your therapy journey.