Does talking about my problems really help?
Taking the first step to talk to a professional about your challenges is a very daunting task, well quite frankly it can be terrifying. You could literally be sitting in your vehicle outside of the therapists office and wanting to barf.
The fact that you are reading this article and potentially thinking of seeking help is a huge step, so you can go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back.
I'm sure you've heard many family members or friends tell you some of the following statements:
Therapy is only for people who have serious mental illness.
Therapy doesn't work and is a waste of money.
Can't you just fix the problem yourself? Just get over it.
Once you start you will have to go forever.
Many people have these same thoughts but they are simply not true. In fact these statements often prevent individuals from gaining the positive, life changing benefits that therapy brings.
So why is it beneficial to talk about your problems?
Therapy helps you understand how your mind works and become aware of the patterns you've created subconciously.
It also helps you navigate your feelings and how to manage them so that you can live the life you really want.
It provides an opportunity to build new abilities and practice applying them in session.
It helps you build emotional resilience so you can eventually leave therapy and live your life with healthy coping strategies.
It allows your relationship to be seen from an unbiased perspective.
What You Could Potentially Learn In Therapy:
You’ll learn more about yourself.
Therapy can help you achieve your goals
Therapy can help you have more fulfilling relationships
You’re more likely to have better health.
Therapy can lead to improvement in all areas of life.
At some point, you have experienced stress, felt anxious, overwhelmed, sad, or depressed. No one is immune to these common, human conditions.
Therapy is often the fastest, most effective route to overcome emotional and behavioral issues that keep you from living the life you want.
Therapy gives you a safe space to talk freely and process your emotions, but a good therapist doesn’t listen just to make you feel heard. They’re looking for patterns in how your mind works and how they can help you make it work better. Therapy should involve learning skills and building tools to manage your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Talking about your feelings is simply part of the process.
Eventually you’ll leave therapy with the ability to recognize patterns in yourself and to make changes on your own using the skills you learned in sessions.
Please take note that there are some situations in which you should definitely consider therapy:
When your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors hold you back from living a normal life (e.g. you’re not sleeping; you’re avoiding things you normally like doing).
When your mental health is causing physical harm (e.g., you’re binging; you’re suicidal)
When your time is valuable and you need to improve your performance quickly to meet professional goals (e.g. you’re a founder; performance issues put your job at risk)
Also note the following statement if you are reading this in hopes of recommending a family member or friend for therapy:
People who feel forced into therapy may feel resistant and find it harder to put in the work needed to make change.It's best to help them in reviewing therapists and gently encouraging them instead of "forcing" them.
Your ‘easy to talk to’ therapist,
Kimberly Castle R.T.C
Kimberly Castle is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with a private practice in beautiful Kelowna, BC. She focuses on empowering individuals in all areas of their life. In her practice she works with individuals who have experienced trauma related symptoms, anxiety and depression. She also offers couples counselling and enjoys working with couples to expand their relationships.