It seems there are two major schools of thought when it comes to therapy these days. The first seems to be, “Everyone needs therapy in their life!” and the second is, “Why would I need therapy, there is nothing wrong with me / I can do it on my own!”.
As a therapist, I understand both of these points of view (although obviously, I align with the first school of thought). So how is it that some individuals make their way from the mindset of "Why would I need therapy?" to making the bold statement that therapy is in fact beneficial for everyone?
Common Struggles We Face
Often as humans, we normalize being in a rut. We push through feelings of anxiety and overwhelm, all while making internal assumptions that we are "failing" for having felt anxiety and/or overwhelm in the first place. We say yes to everything, even when our body is screaming no. Some of us find it hard to get out of bed, to have the energy to do small tasks, or we feel as though we are on autopilot, floating through life rather than experiencing it. We struggle with our thoughts (either we can’t make decisions or it seems like we have 17 options for every choice we have to make). We might find it too painful to turn in or look at our past, or we find large memory gaps in our childhood. Some of us even question who we are, our identity, our core values, and our "purpose".
This list is by no means exhaustive, but many of those in that first school of thinking who have entered the therapy world have reported finding freedom from experiences like those listed above.
How Can Therapy Help You Move Forward?
Honestly, in many ways. One thing you will quickly learn is that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. As therapists, we work hard to ensure that your needs and personal requirements are understood and met. What is it about this unique, customized approach that makes therapy effective? Here are three of the most common ways that therapy helps people move forward when they are stuck in a rut...
Therapy Shifts Your Priorities When you book a therapy appointment, you are setting a date and time to make self-care a priority. Therapy is "self-care" in the truest sense of the word; you are taking care of your mental and emotional self. You are setting aside all of your roles and responsibilities for 50 minutes and simply allowing yourself to focus on yourself.
Therapy Creates A Safe Space Once you find the right therapist, one that you feel comfortable with (this is extremely important), they will create a safe space for you. A space where you feel comfortable enough, in time, to show up as your authentic self and work on those parts of you that have been putting on pause; that have been making you feel crazy or unworthy. For most of us, just having someone hold space for us where there are no distractions, no judgment, and we have the freedom to be authentic and vulnerable is enough to help us move out of our rut and towards healing.
Therapy Is Educational Therapy offers you the opportunity to learn new skills that can help you cope in your day-to-day life. It offers psychoeducation about the internal experiences that have potentially been scaring or confusing you, and it can teach you how to set better boundaries in order to preserve your mental health. During your therapy journey, you will likely also learn to communicate better (practice makes improvement, after all). You might also notice your "emotional IQ" (your awareness around your emotional climate and that of others) increasing.
Therapy is an excellent tool to help you break the patterns that have plagued you and that may be contributing to outbursts of anger or tension in your relationships with others. Your therapy journey will be unique to what you need, but at the end of the day, it offers everyone the freedom to make intentional choices about how they live their life and the bravery to authentically live that out.
If you are interested in starting your own therapy journey/are looking for trauma therapy in Edmonton & area, you can reach out to the Balance team by calling (587) 985-3132 or emailing info@balancepsychservices.ca.
About Balance Psychological Services
Balance Psychological Services is a psychological private practice aimed toward healing, growth, and balance. Our mission is to ensure that every person who walks through our doors feels seen and accepted for exactly who they are, no matter the circumstances they are facing. With offices conveniently located in Stony Plain, Edmonton, and Beaumont, we are here and ready to help you find your balance.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Balance Psychological Services' blog posts is meant for educational purposes only. This is NOT medical or mental health advice. If you are seeking mental health advice, please contact us directly at (587) 985-3132