10 Reasons Why Everyone Needs A Therapist

There is a common misconception that therapy is just for people coping with mental illness, but that could not be less accurate. The act of going to therapy is stigmatized, and has been for a while. It is believed that because mental illnesses can not be seen, they do not exist or are not as ‘big of a deal’ as physical illnesses. It can be harder to diagnose a mental illness for this reason. However, mental health is just like a broken bone. If left untreated, it can lead to much worse problems. Therapy can help you work through all kinds of problems and give you the support you need in most facets of your life. Therapy is such a rewarding practice because you will see the results first hand and the positive impact it will have on your life.

But, can’t I talk to friends instead?

Listen, we know that your friends are probably very helpful and mean well, but there are some very important differences between reaching out to a friend for advice and attending therapy. That is not to say that you should not be reaching out to your friends and loved ones for advice, you absolutely should! However, the problem becomes that your friends will likely not be able to provide you with unbiased advice and undivided attention. A therapist’s job is to give you those things. They are a judgement free zone and someone who is trained to give advice and find the best guidance for you.

10 reasons why everyone needs a therapist:

1. You Know You’re not Alone.

Therapy can feel like such a lonely journey, but it does not have to be. Seeing someone can be a relief and give you comfort knowing that you have this kind of structure. If you need more support, think about joining a group for people going through similar situations. It can be very reassuring to be around people who can empathize with you and your situation.

2. Therapy’s Effects Persist Through Your Life.

One of the reasons why therapy is so successful is because of the long-lasting impacts it has. You are constantly developing tools that help you work through your problems that directly affect future situations. Seeing this kind of progress is really helpful in the process. Therapy is a very reflective practice, but with all of that comes revelations about current situations and how they can be different in the future.

3. Repressing Your Emotions Is Unhealthy.

When we squish all of our feelings down it is not only uncomfortable, but it can lead to a much larger explosion later. When we repress our feelings it does not make them go away. When you work with a therapist, you will learn how to process and cope with your emotions. You will be freed of negative thought patterns and find better ways to express yourself and your feelings.

4. Therapy Provides You with a New Perspective on Others.

Not only will you be able to understand yourself better by going through the process of therapy, but you will be able to understand others better. When we are angry or upset, we make a lot of assumptions about the world around us and others. Therapy helps us break this trend and get a ‘reality check’. By processing our own emotions and feelings, it becomes easier to understand the motivations and intentions of others.

5. Therapy Helps You Deal with Lifestyle Changes.

Sometimes, life just gets in the way. Big and small problems will come up forever, but knowing how to deal with them in a healthy way is the key to success. Therapy lets us talk things through and reflect in ways that allow us to respond to situations in a more positive way. You will learn how to not be overwhelmed by these situations, but how to create a plan and overcome them.

6. You Will Become a Better Teacher for the Next Generation.

These life experiences will make it, if you have kids or young people in your life, easier to help them work through life’s problems. Some people grew up in homes where conversations about mental health were off limits or not encouraged. When you are able to go through the process and destigmatize mental health for yourself, it will give the future generations an easier time. It is time to start talking about these issues and paving the way for others to be able get the helpthey need, when they need it.

7. You Develop Coping Mechanisms.

This is the part of the process that is particularly long lasting. We create patterns and behaviors from as early as infants, so unlearning some of these can be challenging. Coping methods are incredibly helpful for stressful or difficult situations and can provide you with a healthier response. A therapist is the best option for reversing some of these older habits and building new, healthier responses.

8. You Will Improve Your Deductive Reasoning.

These sessions should be places where you can feel the most relaxed and at ease. Your therapist will likely not always tell you exactly what you need to do, but guide you to the right solution. They will add their thoughts throughout the process and provide emphatic feedback. Their job is to help you process what is going on in your life in a helpful way where you are also part of the uncovering process.

9. Therapy Helps You Compartmentalize.

Having a designated window of time to talk about your feelings can help your brain learn that you do not have to stress all the time. Having a to-do list can help you process and compartmentalize what you need to accomplish and relieve some anxiety. You then are able to focus on completing the tasks and can reward yourself for a job well done. Therapists will often recommend list making as a way of sorting out your routine and coping with anxiety.

10. You Repeat Patterns in Therapy that You Do in Daily Life.

Human beings are very good at sticking to routines and developing habits. However, not all habits are good for us. This is most common in the people we choose to enter romantic relationships with. Do you choose partners with toxic traits? What about individuals who are emotionally unavailable? Do you tend to run for the hills when the relationship gets complicated? These patterns typically emerge pretty quickly in therapy and help you take a closer look at them. When you are able to explore your patterns in a therapeutic relationship, you will start to develop the tools you need to apply them outside of the room.

As much as we may be conditioned to believe, therapy is for more than just when the sky is falling. If you feel you need to realign yourself with your wants and needs, want to become a more empathetic person, or better communicate with others, therapy could be a great process for you! Take the first step to develop healthy patterns that will positively influence your personal life, relationships, and many other facets of your life.

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Sean McCormick

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