THERAPY TOPIC
Why is therapy important?
Therapy can be expensive and hard work, so why is therapy important?
1. Sometimes an outsider’s perspective can be very helpful
We can get so caught up in what is happening inside of us (emotion, thoughts, urges, bodily responses – like a knot in your stomach) or in our environment, that it can be really hard to problem solve and/or use our rational mind.
2. Sometimes we don’t know how to help ourselves, especially when stuck in a low mood or spiralling thoughts
If we haven’t learned how to cope with a situation in a healthy way, we don’t know how to do it without accessing new, helpful resources. For example, self-harm or suicidal thoughts are commonly seen in the therapy world as attempts to cope with and solve a problem.
3. Therapy can provide a ton of useful tools
Some of the most effective psychological treatments and tools are not always easily accessible and are sometimes tricky to work through ourselves. Therapists are trained on effective therapy techniques and tools that have been well-researched.
4. The tools from therapy can last a lifetime
5. Mental health has been consistently linked to well-being
Experiencing symptoms of mental unwellness (pretty sure I just made up this word lol) can take a huge toll on motivation, physical well-being (our bodies can actually begin to break down, leading to physical conditions), and spiritual well-being.
6. Improve your quality of life
Self-awareness is super important in building a higher quality of life. We don’t know what we don’t know, and how would we? Sometimes we think something “is what it is,” we should just learn to adapt to it, we are weak for not overcoming this ourselves, or we don’t even notice that it exists or don’t even think there may be a solution – this is what we have known. This is a great example of how therapy can be very helpful – therapists are trained to recognize, understand, and treat maladaptive thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.