Photo credits: “Brain” (CC BY 2.0) by NHardeman
The word “therapy” can elicit mixed reactions from people. What does it make you feel? Unfortunately, there is a negative stigma surrounding therapy and therapists because mental health is not as widely accepted as physical health. To help reduce this stigma, I want to advocate for therapy and how it can help you.
Like my therapist always says, “I believe everyone needs therapy.” There doesn’t have to be something “wrong” for you to see a therapist — you can see them just to talk about things and figure out life! Is therapy something that you could benefit from? Check out these points below and think about it.
Coming from someone who goes to therapy weekly, there are SO many benefits to it! First of all, seeing a therapist can help you solve problems, and who doesn’t have problems in their life? Having an impartial person to listen to you can make you feel heard and help you work through these issues. Therapy can give you the ability to talk to someone without judgment, which can be really helpful. There’s also a ton you can learn from therapy. About yourself, about the world, about others… And most importantly, how to help yourself. After all, you are the only one who you can count on for your whole life, so why not be the best you can be? I know, I know, that sounds cheesy. But it’s true!
So you’ve decided to go to therapy. Now what? This can feel very overwhelming, but it’s a good first step! It’s important to make sure you find the right therapist. Finding someone with similar beliefs as you and who you feel comfortable with is essential if you want to really work on yourself. If you’ve found the right therapist, you feel comfortable with them. You should be able to trust them and tell them important details about your life so that they can best help you. If you feel like you can tell them anything, then you’re in luck — you’ve found the therapist for you!
On the other hand, there are some signs that you’re seeing the wrong therapist (and don’t get me wrong, it might take multiple times to find the right person)! If you feel like you can’t open up to your therapist, that’s an issue! Trust is essential. Also, if you dread going to your sessions and tend to feel worse after the session, that could be a sign to “break up” with your therapist. But don’t worry — therapists are used to this. They know that finding the right person is in your best interest, so do what’s best for you! While in therapy, it’s important to keep an open mind and to continue working on yourself. Your therapist can only do so much — you have to do the rest!
I hope this article has helped you realize what the therapy process looks like, and maybe you’ve even been convinced to see a therapist yourself! I want to say thank you to my therapist, Alexis, for everything she has done for me. If you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, or think you could benefit from therapy, reach out to the WCU Counseling Center today!
Hally Everett is a fifth-year Media & Culture major with minors in Health Sciences and Entrepreneurship. HE885418@wcupa.edu
—-there is a negative stigma surrounding therapy and therapists
There is?
At some point in your life you were prevalied upon to internalize that prejudice. Have you any idea when or where? Of who placed it in your mind?
Harold A Maio