You May Want to Begin Therapy If…
Often, urgent life situations are what cause us to consider therapy. Prioritizing therapeutic support in acutely stressful or traumatic moments is vital. Looking into therapy can also be based on less acute situations: something simply feeling “off” or different than usual, an interest in self-growth and development, preparing to navigate through a planned change, or wanting to be witnessed and have our emotions safely held. There’s no one “right” reason to seek out therapy - which will be covered more in-depth in this post.
1. You Sense There’s Something to Explore Deeply, Even if Things are Going Well
We can feel inclined to start therapy when we notice that we have a feeling that something is off or different. It could be something we’re able to label or it could be more ambiguous and difficult to pinpoint. We can have satisfying jobs, healthy relationships, solid routines, and an active social life, and feel that we need to explore something. Sometimes, it’s only after something has happened (whether months or years) and the emotional dust has settled that we realize we are changed and might want to begin to process it.
We might notice that we have new sensations, symptoms, or patterns. Examples could be sleeping more, feeling an internal heaviness or a “blah” feeling, or getting heart palpitations or shortness of breath. Maybe something happened in our life that we didn’t think was a big deal, or we thought that we coped with it, yet the aftermath is still with us.
Even when others don’t agree, see, or understand our desire or need to be in therapy, it’s important to prioritize our own needs when considering starting therapy. We know ourselves best - our thoughts, feelings, and experiences - and trusting our intuition that we want to talk with someone is a good first step. Even good stress (such as a new job or relationship) has a physiological impact on us. We don’t have to navigate it alone.
2. You Have or Will Go Through a Change
Seeking therapy before, during, or after a change can provide us with support and help to navigate major transitions. Change can be deeply personal; society may not recognize the changes we face for them to be significant. Research shows that we’re most vulnerable in the few months following a big change. Therapy can provide a consistent, safe space whether our world is about to shift slightly or if it feels completely upside down.
Even if everyone around you is thriving through a change or transition, it’s okay if you aren’t. Change impacts everyone differently. There are many factors that contribute to why we might respond differently to change during different times of our life. It’s not a sign of weakness to have trouble with a change, even if we didn’t anticipate to.
3. You are Interested in Self-Growth, Increased Awareness, and Greater Insight
Gaining self-awareness and insight can help us to develop new perspectives in our personal life or at work. Therapy can support us in growing into more empathy, understanding, and awareness for both ourselves and others. It’s a process that can deepen our insight into the “why” of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and support compassion and clarity as we continue to develop. Therapy can be about unlearning and challenging what we previously knew to be true for us in order to step forward out of unhelpful patterns and into a more authentic sense of self.
4. You Know That You Need Help and Support
Seeking mental health support is a sign of strength. We know ourselves and our loved ones best, and when we notice and feel changes and shifts, it’s important to be proactive in securing support when it is needed. Whether we sense it’s minor or significant, getting support is the most important factor in these moments. There are various resources available for those who need support, for example, different forms of psychotherapy or a specific support group.
When our symptoms begin to impact our daily life in a negative way, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged. No one has to go through it alone. A licensed mental health professional can help you determine the next steps and support you in gaining the tools for stability and safety and, eventually, finding the path toward healing.
5. You Want To
Maybe you want to share a space with someone who doesn’t judge you. Perhaps you want to cry and safely feel your sadness or rage. You may want to be deeply seen and felt by another person. There could be something you want to discuss that you’ve never talked about. You might want someone to witness your story and help you make sense of certain parts. Maybe you’ve been in therapy before and you feel like you want to go back.
You might want to process parts of your experience with someone who genuinely delights in your presence. Maybe you want the experience of feeling consistency, trust, and safety. You could want someone to challenge you and prompt you to think about things in a new way as you seek to break old thought and behavioral patterns. You may want to figure out how to stop being “strong” or “nice” when you don’t really feel that way. Maybe you want to share space with someone who is well-trained in various ways to “go there” safely, who can be there to guide you in your healing work. Wanting any or all of these is a reason to want to be in therapy.
Conclusion
Seeking out therapy is never a sign of weakness. Therapy can help us navigate life’s toughest moments. We might also begin therapy when we feel safe and calm enough to begin to process certain experiences. If you or a loved one is in need of support for your mental health, you are not alone. A good place to start is finding a licensed therapist who specializes in what you are experiencing and who aligns with your needs, values, and preferences.
As an art therapist in Montclair, NJ, I work with children and teens who are experiencing big emotions, grief, behavioral challenges, or who have experienced trauma. I also work with millennials (adults between 25-40) who are navigating through distinct challenges and stressors that are heightened for this age group such as dating and partnership, health/medical concerns, the socio-political climate, burnout, the choice of parenthood, career, aging parents, and more. I work in-person or virtually in the greater NJ/NY area.
