Recognizing the need for therapy is important in taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. Therapy has many benefits, including emotional relief, clarity on big life decisions, encouragement, personal empowerment, and the ability to process emotions or thoughts in a safe, supportive environment. Sometimes it isn’t easy to decipher at a certain point that we might need a therapist in our life. This article outlines when it may be time to consider therapy.
Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
Everyone experiences sadness, loneliness, or feeling down from time to time. However, if you’re feeling down, empty, or hopeless for an extended period, and these feelings interfere with your daily life, it might be the right time to seek professional help. An extended period could be defined as a few weeks or longer. If this sounds like you or someone you know, reach out to our office to get in touch with a therapist.
Experiencing anxiety and excessive worry
Therapy can provide effective coping strategies if you frequently experience intense anxiety, excessive worrying, panic attacks, or phobias that disrupt your ability to function or enjoy life. Often can mean either experiencing anxiety or panic attacks multiple times a day, weekly, or monthly. A therapist can help you find ways to cope and manage your symptoms to find more balance in your life.
Difficulty coping with life changes
Our lives are constantly changing. Whether it’s a divorce, loss of a loved one, job loss, or relocation, it can be challenging to navigate alone. It’s normal to feel large amounts of stress when experiencing positive life changes like a new job, house, or relationship. Exciting as these changes can be, they are big changes that can be hard to adjust, as people prefer predictability. Sharing your thoughts and emotions with a therapist who can support you and offer guidance during these transitions will provide relief and clarity.
Relationship problems
Having the appropriate tools to have healthy conflicts with others is important. Finding a resolution is the goal of healthy arguing; however, if you are involved in fights or disagreements that last for long periods and with no resolution, it might be time to seek therapy, either alone or with your partner. Displaying signs of contempt, stonewalling, defense, or unhealthy criticism within arguments can be worked through and healed with therapy. Overall, seeing a counselor can help you improve communication, manage conflicts, and develop healthier relationship patterns to find resolutions quicker and healthily.
Trauma or past unresolved issues
Suppose you’ve experienced a traumatic event, abuse, or unresolved issues that continue to affect your daily life. In that case, therapy can provide a safe space for healing and recovery. Experiencing trauma is considered a risk factor in many behavioral health and substance use disorders. Trauma-Focused CBT and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) are evidence-based protocols/ methods that focus on healing trauma. Working through your trauma with an equipped therapist can bring much relief, understanding, and insight into your life. Contact us schedule an appointment with one of our trauma-focused trained therapists who can help navigate the effects of trauma and find a resolution.
Substance abuse or addictive behaviors
If you’re struggling with substance abuse or addictive behaviors, seeking help from a therapist can be vital in addressing the underlying causes and developing strategies for recovery. Substance abuse refers to the harmful or excessive use of legal or illegal substances that have the potential to alter one’s mood, perception, or consciousness. Substance abuse includes prescription pills, alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with substance abuse, contact our offices to get in touch with a therapist who can help you find relief.
Persistent stress and burnout
If you’re constantly overwhelmed, experiencing chronic stress, or feeling burnt out, therapy can help you identify stressors, learn coping mechanisms, and restore balance in your life. Burnout embodies a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. Work projects, certain relationships, school, or something else can cause this. Some signs that can help identify if you are feeling burnt out include exhaustion, lack of motivation, reduced productivity, withdrawal and isolation, neglected self-care, and loss of enjoyment. If you notice these signs and they persist over a significant period, it may be an indication that you’re experiencing burnout. It’s important to pay attention to these signals and address them to prevent further negative impacts on your overall well-being. These are general signs, and it’s always best to consult a mental health professional. Contact our office to connect with a therapist who can help you find relief from burnout.
Connect with us
If you are experiencing one of these topics and need to talk to a professional, reach out to our office, and we will connect you with a therapist who can help you find healing, peace of mind, and balance.
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