Therapy is an incredibly effective tool for managing a wide range of issues, from anxiety and depression to relationship woes and even sleep disorders. But what if you don’t have one of those glaring issues, per se? Maybe you’re just struggling through life and can’t quite put your finger on why things seem so difficult. Or, perhaps you just feel alone and could use someone to talk to.
The truth is, there are more people who are benefiting from therapy than you may realize. In fact, according to the American Psychology Association, more than 1 in 4 Americans have received treatment or therapy from a mental health professional.
Still not convinced this route is the right one for you? Here are five compelling reasons why seeing a therapist could make 2019 your best year yet.
Your friends and family aren’t experts.
Sure, they love you and want what’s best for you. They may be there to lend an ear and offer advice, but in reality, most of the well-intentioned people in your life aren’t qualified to offer guidance. Some may go straight into “fix it” mode, telling you what you should or shouldn’t do, often based on their own personal experiences. Unfortunately, life isn’t about cookie-cutter solutions. A trained therapist, however, can provide unbiased and professional support that is tailored to your own unique situation.
Self-care is important.
Just as you wouldn’t neglect your physical health, you shouldn’t ignore your mental and emotional wellbeing. Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential to managing stress and achieving a healthy balance in life. This is even more critical if you are a parent or caretaker. Perhaps renowned author Eleanor Brownn put it best when she said: “You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” Making sure your own needs are met will enable you to better care for the other people in your life. Working with a therapist is a great way to accomplish this.
You’re facing a big change.
Have some big plans for 2019? Getting married? Starting a new family or career path? Maybe one of your kids is getting ready to head off to college or you and your spouse are talking divorce. Whatever the situation, whether positive or negative, change can be challenging. Working with someone who has a neutral perspective can help you navigate the difficulties, develop goals and create a plan for achieving those goals without becoming overwhelmed in the process.
It can help you find meaning.
For most of us, it’s not enough to know that things happen in life. We naturally want to dig deeper and find out why these things happen to us – especially during difficult times. Talking things through with a therapist can enable you to discover a sense of meaning or purpose for the hardships you’ve experienced. With the right perspective, these silver linings can become life lessons that empower us rather than hold us back. And that’s a great feeling.
It’ll make the good things in your life even better.
Therapy isn’t solely focused on negative thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In fact, in many cases, talking about the areas of your life that make you happy, such as your healthy relationships, can help you perceive life in a more positive light. What’s more, by working through some of the smaller issues you may have, you can learn how to overcome them and improve the quality of your life as a result. For instance, let’s say you have a relatively happy marriage, but there are one or two areas where things could be better. Finding new ways to cope with or overcome those things can make your good marriage even stronger.
The bottom line is, therapy can be a powerful, life-changing tool for anyone – not just those struggling with mental illness. In fact, as you can see by the list above, it can play a central role in helping you reduce stress, manage change and gain a healthy, positive perspective. What are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment with Jessica Dell at the The Dell Center today!
