Isn’t therapy for people who are really messed up?
Asking for help when we need it is a sign of strength, not weakness. Life is tough and we all struggle sometimes. Juggling the demands of work, family, intimacy, health, and personal growth is stressful for even the most resilient among us. Sometimes our own efforts, and even the help of family and friends, just don’t seem to work. Psychotherapy helps you navigate life’s challenges, find hope and relief, and discover what matters most to you. Therapy is for everyday people with everyday problems, not just those of us with severe mental illness or addiction. You don’t have to struggle alone-compassionate, confidential care is available.
Problems Therapy Can Help Address
- Sleep issues
- Constant worrying
- Irritability, anger
- Chronic pain
- Prolonged sadness, loneliness, or hopelessness
- Troublesome thoughts
- Loss of a loved one
- Difficulty concentrating
- Life transitions like employment, divorce, etc.
- Relationship problems
- Lack of purpose or meaning
- Work or caregiver burnout
- Shame and self-criticism
Can I really trust someone with all my shame, pain, and struggles?
It’s not a therapist’s job to judge any part of you as right or wrong, good or bad, strange or normal. It is our job to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space; some perspective, and some new skills. It would be silly to blindly trust someone you’ve never met; trust and confidence are built over time. When meeting your therapist, ask about their education, experience, and training. Ask what therapy will entail and if there are any drawbacks or risks. Be clear about how scheduling and payment will work. If you feel strongly that you’d be more comfortable with a therapist of a certain age, sex, gender, race, culture, orientation, etc. then you should make your preference known. Every therapist is required to ensure confidentiality and tell you about the few exceptions to that rule. We call this process “informed consent” because you deserve to know what you’re getting into.
Does therapy even work?
The short answer is, yes. Psychotherapy appears to work for most people, most of the time. There has been a lot of scientific research on the topic of evidence-based treatment, so there is a lot of data available. You can read more about this here, here, here, and here. If you or someone you know tried therapy in the past but did not find it helpful, I’ll have a future blog post just for you.
What exactly happens in therapy sessions?
Mostly dialogue. It varies a bit depending on the type of therapy. When meeting with a therapist, you’ll share your specific needs and goals, and things will move at a pace that you and your therapist determine. Which is not to say you’ll never feel challenged or uncomfortable-often that’s an important piece of treatment, as long as it’s ethical and mutually agreed upon. Together, you and your therapist will likely explore your history, your emotions, your thoughts, and the things you do that keep you stuck. Even if you have a long history of abuse or trauma, your therapist won’t rehash the past for no reason. Most importantly, with support, guidance, and compassion, you’ll likely learn new skills and practice new behaviors that improve your life. After all, no one ever changed by doing the same old thing. And this is true of therapy as well-if you’re not sure where things are going or if it’s working, tell your therapist.
