Signs You Would Greatly Benefit From Therapy

By Carley Chollman

If you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately, it may be time to take a step back and re-evaluate your life. Perhaps you have been struggling with feelings of fatigue, depression, anxiety, or loneliness. Maybe you’re going through a big shift in your life and need help to cope with the change that you are experiencing.

Regardless of your unique situation, you can greatly benefit from going to therapy for a critical issue like severe depression or trauma, or a common situation like learning how to be more patient or improving your worth ethic. Therapy is a great tool to help you gain clarity in your life and receive help with your mental health. It’s a safe space where you can talk about your experience with a licensed professional who will help guide you through your struggles. By addressing issues head-on in a judgment-free environment, you can fix the problems that are distracting you from improving your well-being and find a renewed sense of purpose in your life.

It’s common to think therapy is only for people who are experiencing major issues like depression, anger issues, trauma, chronic illness, an identity crisis, or major relationship issues. But going to therapy isn’t always about fixing a major issue or processing a traumatic event. People who attend therapy when life is going well tend to gain a lot more from their sessions because they are not distracted by a challenge they’re dealing with. Viewing therapy as a tool to further grow your relationship with yourself, your relationship with others, and your spirituality can help fortify and prepare your mind for future disruptive events. Additionally, talking with a therapist can help you identify and actualize your goals for the future.

Common Signs To Look Out For

Some common signs that people show when they are in need of receiving help with their mental health include:

• Sleep disturbances

• Excessive worry

• Reoccurring feelings of sadness/numbness

• Impairment to their daily routine

• Difficulty concentrating

• Negative or unwanted thoughts

• Isolating themselves 

• Unwanted patterns of behavior that seem impossible to break

• Somatic symptoms

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important that you take care of yourself by reaching out for help. Talking with a therapist can give you valuable insight into your situation that will enable you to better understand your feelings and process what you are going through. Therapy often gives you tools and healthy coping mechanisms to overcome the struggles you may be facing that otherwise, you wouldn’t know how to access.

Signs Family And Friends Should Look Out For

If you are worried your loved one is in need of receiving professional help for their mental health, you should look out for signs such as:

• Lack of interest in things they typically enjoy

• Concerning use of drugs or alcohol

• Risky behaviors that seem out of character

• Anger outbursts or aggression/violence

• Changes in appetite (like eating very little or eating more than usual)

• Struggling to manage stress

• Difficulty keeping up with work or home life

• Isolating from friends and/or family 

If you are still unsure whether you or a loved one should go to therapy, it is important to remember that a person doesn’t have to be in a state of crisis to benefit from therapy. Everybody can find value in therapy because it deepens one’s insight of themself and the world around them. By keeping an open mind, you can give therapy the opportunity to meet your needs, including some that you haven’t even realized you have yet.

 Therapy is so important and very applicable to people’s mental health. Even licensed therapists go to therapy themselves because it creates a safe space for them to receive support and accountability. It also helps them maintain a healthy balance in their lives by offering a different perspective from another professional.

Finding A Good Therapist

To find the best therapist for your unique situation, start with thorough research beforehand or ask a close friend or family member if they know one to refer you to. Most licensed professionals have online profiles where they provide the type of clients and issues they are experienced working with. If a therapist has a history of working with clients whose struggles are similar to yours, this is a good sign they will have an extensive amount of knowledge and understanding to help you. Finding someone who not only has experience in therapy, but a strong foundational understanding of what you’re going through is important when choosing a therapist to confide in. 

There’s No Better Time Than The Present 

If you feel like you’re in need of therapy, the best time to start is now! No matter the severity of your struggle, investing in your mental health and beginning your healing journey is crucial to leading a happy and healthy life. Mental health has a direct impact on every aspect of your life and being in an unhealthy headspace will negatively affect things such as your relationships with yourself, your relationship with others, and your performance in school or work.

If you’re worried that a loved one is in need of receiving professional help, you should try talking to them and ask if they are open to trying therapy. It is good to approach them in a gentle and patient manner. Sometimes people don’t even realize they are acting out of character and worrying those closest to them. An encouraging pep talk is all it might take for somebody to realize they could greatly benefit from going to therapy.