How Do I Know If I Need Therapy?

Life can be overwhelming, especially in the past year thanks to everything that’s been happening in relation to the pandemic.

You may have heard more about therapy now than you have at any other time in your life.

Maybe friends or co-workers are talking about their recent experiences when seeing a therapist.

Maybe you’ve had it recommended to you.

Are you curious about therapy?

If so, the following article is designed to explain a little bit about what therapy is, how it works, and whether you may benefit from seeing a licensed therapist.

What Does Therapy Do?

Mental health-related therapy involves speaking privately with a licensed mental health professional.

During sessions, individuals discuss their lives, issues their facing, and goals they hope to achieve.

In turn, the therapist listens, offers advice, and helps the individual make sense of their feelings, surroundings, and thoughts.

Therapy is not explicit to individuals who are suffering from mental illnesses, though it is a treatment option in this case as well.

Practically anyone can benefit from speaking with a licensed therapist, so even if you’re feeling a little stressed or like you need help looking inward, therapy can be a great choice.

How Does Therapy Work?

Therapy’s efficacy is scientifically supported, with one of many research studies showing that college students with depression experienced a nearly 90% improvement rate after therapy when compared with students who did not attend therapy.

Contrary to popular belief, therapy is not only about discussing one’s problems and having someone available to listen.

Rather, an experienced professional can help individuals build new skills, improve problem-solving capabilities, and assess goals realistically.

Talking with a licensed therapist about the problems you’re facing can not only help you develop reasonable solutions but can also help you to validate your feelings and experiences.

Do I Need Therapy?

The question as to whether an individual needs therapy comes up often when they’re in the research phase of seeking help.

Many people assure themselves that the challenges they face are not “that bad” and therefore, they do not need help.

A serious mistake that young professionals and students make is waiting until their problems truly become “that bad” before seeking help.

Preventing challenges from overwhelming an individual is part of the benefit of seeing a therapist.

You do not have to wait until an issue gets out of hand, and you do not have to be mentally ill to see a therapist.

If you feel that you might find therapy rewarding, that is cause enough to see a therapist.

How Do I Know If Therapy Will Help?

First thing’s first, not all therapy and not all therapists are the same, and it may take time and experimentation to determine which type of therapy and which professional therapist will best suit your needs.

That said, most of the time, the right type of therapy and the right therapist will benefit individuals who feel that they need to speak with someone.

To help you decide whether you should reach out to a therapist, ask yourself if the following symptoms and scenarios apply to your life.

• You’re struggling to perform at your best capacity at school or work.
• Your emotions have become difficult to manage.
• You’re dealing with trauma or grief.
• You’ve noticed disturbances or changes in your sleep quality and/or appetite.
• You’re struggling to find joy in past hobbies and activities.
• Your relationships with those around you are suffering.
• You’re relying on substances to help you feel better.
• You simply want to make improvements in your life and need direction.

I May Need Therapy. What Now?

If you have decided to try seeing a licensed therapist, you may be wondering how to find the right one for you.

There are typically an array of therapists available to suit a variety of needs, so in order to find the ideal therapist, think about what you want to accomplish while you’re researching your options.

From there, you can check different resources in a variety of ways:

• Search online.
• Ask family, friends, or co-workers you trust about their experiences.
• Ask for recommendations from your general doctor.
• “Interview” a selection of offices/professionals.
• Be open and honest about what you hope to accomplish.

When you reach out to any one of the offices you’re considering, it’s important to answer the intake questions as well as asking your own.

Be as detailed about your needs as you can so that the professional assessing you develops a good impression about what you hope to get out of therapy.

This way, the therapist can determine whether he/she/they are a good match for you, or they can refer you to another professional who would be a better fit.

If you’d like to seek support for your mental health therapy needs, you’re welcome to contact our offices as soon as you’re ready. We’ve helped many people struggling with their mental health and everyday challenges, and we would be honored to help you, too. 

Please feel free to book a complimentary 20-minute consultation with one of our licensed therapists if you know who you would like to work with, or you can book a consult call with our center’s clinical intake coordinator who will match you to the best-fitting therapist for your clinical and logistical needs.