how to know when to seek therapy
Nothing has to be wrong with you to seek therapy.
Sure, there can be negative thoughts, emotions, and events that are causing stressors. And yes, there can be addictions or conflict that might be getting in the way of your well-being.There is also life. And life is a work in progress.
In life, we gain and lose things.
In life, we experience high points and low points.
And through it all, you can seek therapy for guidance and to learn new ways to navigate through life.
So maybe you have symptoms or ways of being that are noticeable to you, or that others have pointed out to you.
Maybe you’re anticipating or currently undergoing life transitions that require some adjusting to such as marriage, divorce, parenting, your education or career..
Maybe you’ve gained a relationship or lost a loved one..
Maybe the way you communicate needs a little fine-tuning or you need to acquire some life skills..
Maybe the way you perceive the world around you is limited from trauma or a result of how you were raised..
Maybe you’re just “over it” and feel like “giving up”..
All of these are valid reasons for seeking therapy and there are countless other reasons.
There is no single definitive moment of when to seek therapy. But the bigger question is what do you need?
should you seek therapy?
Ask yourself, what do I need?
What do I need to learn for myself?
What can I improve to be a better friend, mother/father, partner, employee, SELF..?
And is this for you personally? Or is it for your relationship? Or is it for your family?
If this is for you individually, the therapeutic focus is on you as the client.
If this is for you and a partner, the therapeutic focus is on the couple as the client.
If this is for you and family, the therapeutic focus is on the family as the client.
FIND A THERAPIST
So now that you have identified some things you wish to seek therapy for, explore your options. I cannot personally help you find a therapist, but there are several ways to seek therapists.
💡Google/look up “therapists near me.”
💡Visit psychologytoday.com and create filtered searches. Sites like this one can help you find a match, and a therapy-client match is SUPER important! You gotta like who you’re sharing life stuff with, right?
Do you have a budget? Will you be paying privately or will you be using insurance? Therapy is an investment that some aren’t willing to spend or that some cannot afford. Some therapists do offer low-cost therapy or have sliding scales to work with, as well. Keep in mind, there are options.
Feel free to ask questions as if you’re interviewing your potential therapist! It is IMPORTANT that this therapist feels like a good match!
Good luck and I wish you well.
♡Amanda