Do I need therapy?
As a therapist, I am often asked one of the following questions:
Do I need therapy?
Will therapy help me?
How long should I be in therapy?
While there isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to these questions, I often emphasize that no one needs therapy to survive. However, everyone can benefit from therapy in some way.
Whether you need help with everyday issues, anxiety or depression, or working towards goals, therapy can be a game-changer for improving your daily life.
What we focus on in therapy will depend significantly on your wishes. Some typical work I do with clients can include any combination of the following:
Setting boundaries with work, family, or friends
Gaining focus and working toward goals
Managing depression or anxiety
Developing coping skills
Working through relationships and conflict
Finding work/life balance
Gaining confidence and managing low self-esteem
Working through childhood or generational trauma (facing or processing it)
Emotional regulation
Help with identifying goals, making career decisions, and changing life direction
Managing loneliness, scarcity mindset, and fear of abandonment
Support and strategies for parenting and improving parent/child relationships
I focus on teaching presence, mindfulness, acceptance, and coping skills. Depending on your preferences, I like to employ a blend of meditation, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and body awareness.
I care deeply about normalizing your experiences and helping you realize you are not alone in your struggles. I often make book, podcast, or tv show recommendations that support your unique situation.
A positive therapist-client relationship is an essential component of successful therapy. For this reason, I encourage clients to speak up if they have any concerns or negative experiences during therapy. It is vital to do the necessary work of repairing the therapeutic relationship and improving communication.
Similarly, suppose you had a negative experience with treatment in the past. If that is the case, let me know so we can address those concerns and make sure you feel as comfortable as possible from the beginning.
Considering therapy takes courage. Making the call, scheduling the appointment, and showing up are commendable and impressive steps toward healing.
Give yourself credit for doing the difficult work of showing up and doing the best you can.
You deserve it!
