Do I Need Therapy
People often ask, "Do I really need therapy?" -- as if hearing they could use therapy is the worst news they could possibly get.
Even today, many people still fear the stigma attached to seeking psychological help, because of the myth that "only crazy people need counseling."
In reality, therapy or counseling is nothing to be afraid of. Think about it. You get advice from your parents, your friends, and other family members: the only difference with therapy is that you'll be talking to an open-minded person. You will have the undivided attention of an expert in the field who has nothing vested in the decisions you make -- someone whose only agenda is to help you be well and make better decisions. What do you have to lose?
When Should I Talk to Someone?
Stress: Difficulty with major life events or other life stressors. Stress affects every part of our lives. Although stress has become part of life, too much of it can harm you physically, emotionally, and socially. Use therapy to help you reduce and manage stress.
Relationships: Problems with co-workers or family relationships. Relationships can be both wonderful and complicated, especially when we make bad decisions that affect them for a long time. Learn new skills in order to work through the problems in your relationships with the help of a counselor.
Addictions: Overeating, drugs, alcohol, sex, shopping, gambling, or workaholic behaviors. If one or more of these issues is interfering with your life or your relationships, or you think you may have a problem in any of these areas, consider therapy.
Emotional issues: Grief, depression, excessive jealousy, anxiety, phobias, or panic attacks. Everyone deals with various emotional issues throughout their life. But don't lose your job or your relationships over them. Learn to cope. Seek counseling.
Low self-esteem: Insecurity, shyness, feelings of worthlessness, unhappiness with physical looks. You already know what it is like to live your life in fear. These feelings will only continue to sabotage your goals if you don't tackle them now. Discover what has shaped your way of thinking and learn how to change it with help from a therapist.
Life changes: Illness, becoming a parent, career changes, mid-life issues. Change is unavoidable, and all change is hard. We can't really live life without change, but many people have a tough time dealing with certain issues. Life crises are a time to seek help.
It's Not Forever
Remember that therapy is not supposed to last for years, especially if you opt for telephone or e-counseling. The central premise of therapy is that you keep talking, listening, and practicing new ideas until something "clicks," enabling you to do the rest yourself. (However, if you have a mental illness and require regular psychotherapy and medication, short-term counseling is not for you.)
Asking for help is one of the bravest things you can do. It's always difficult for people to ask for help and it takes great strength of character to acknowledge a problem and try to fix it.
We want to help. When you're ready, use our site to discover the right form of help for you. Or, if you need more direct assistance, contact our mental-health professionals at312-382-8710.