30 Reasons why people decide to seek therapY
How does one decide that it is time to seek therapy? Many of my counselling clients have toyed with the idea of seeing a therapist for weeks and months before deciding to reach out. It is fairly common to dismiss needing help for your mental health. The dismissive thoughts can sound like ‘Is this significant/bad/big enough to need therapy?’ Or ‘It’s so bad, nothing could possibly help!’
Maybe you have told yourself ‘It’s nothing really, it will pass’ or ‘I just need to manage my time better’ or ‘There is just no way I can make time for therapy!’ or ‘I shouldn’t make such a big deal of it’
To me, all of these sound like invalidating statements pretending to be valid concerns! I am not denying that not every challenge needs therapy. Or the fact that you are really busy. But if the thought has been coming up for you, if you find yourself wondering if indeed you should try counselling /therapy, then instead of shushing that voice, maybe you can allow yourself to stay with the question?
We face invalidation from so many sources throughout our lives. The least we can do is not add our own voice to that noise.
Why do people decide to see a therapist/counsellor? I have tried to list a few reasons below.
Why do people decide to see a therapist/counsellor?
1.When they haven’t been feeling like themselves.
2. When they are unable to let go.
3. When a certain thought or memory or habit comes in the way of daily functioning.
4. When a feeling becomes too overwhelming.
5. When they want to know themselves better.
6. When they want to make a change.
7. When they are trying hard to adjust.
8. When they are struggling to cope.
9. When they feel desperate. Or hopeless. Or frustrated.
10. When they decide to prioritize themselves.
11. When someone around them suggests speaking to a counsellor.
12. When they see someone around them benefiting from therapy.
13. When it feels like a logical next step.
14. When it feels like an absolute last resort.
15. When something from the past needs space to make sense of.
16. When something daunting lies ahead.
17. When they need someone non-judgmental to speak with.
18. When they need to hear their own thoughts in a safe space.
19. When they seek clarity. Or insight.
20. When familiar ways of coping don’t seem to work.
21. When relationships feel like too much.
22. When life feels like too much.
23. When they feel blocked or uninspired.
24. When a problem needs to be solved.
25. When they want to break free of old patterns.
26. When they want to start a new chapter in life.
27. When faced with change and uncertainty.
28. When they struggle to reconcile to an end.
29. When they are feeling lost.
30, When they want to feel better.
This is just a snippet of possible reasons. Perhaps some of these resonate with you. Or maybe your reasons are entirely different? Whatever the case, I hope that reading this prompts you to introspect. No reason is too small or too big to seek help. If you still feel unsure and would like to talk about it, please do reach out.