What’s Wrong with You?
One of the common misconceptions about seeing a psychologist is that they will tell you something is wrong with you. First of all, what does “wrong” even mean? The word “wrong” stigmatizes what it is like to live with mental illness. People might believe that the therapist is going to tell them that they can’t manage their life issues effectively. That’s a false perception of what to expect from a psychologist. In fact, sometimes finding out that you have a mental health issue can be enlightening and helps you get the treatment you need. However, seeing a psychologist isn’t always about finding out what’s the matter with you. It is about gaining clarity and helping you to succeed and live a better quality of life.
There are Many Reasons to See a Therapist
There are a multitude of reasons to go to therapy. One of them is when you’re experiencing a particularly challenging time in your life. Perhaps somebody has passed away, and you want to talk to a psychologist about your sadness. Working through grief can be a painful process, but with the help of someone who understands grief counseling, you will be able to work through the stages of grief more effectively and learn to cope with your pain. Another indication for seeking therapy is if you’re exploring your sexuality. For example, maybe a young adult man realizes that he is gay. Perhaps his family is homophobic, and he wants to work through how to understand his sexual identity and be able to reconcile the fact that not everybody is going to accept his orientation. He could see a therapist during a transitional period where he learns to accept himself, or this could be an ongoing therapeutic relationship. Gender identity issues are something that a therapist can help you work through if you are struggling with them.
Long-term Therapeutic Relationships
People who have mental illness may see a therapist for an extended period or even throughout their lifetime. Specific psychological health issues benefit from regular therapy appointments more than others. For example, people with personality disorders may benefit from long-term therapy sessions once or twice a week. There are also people who live with clinical depression that experience episodic depressive episodes that they can speak with a therapist about and get through them. Whether you have major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, or cyclothymia, there is a multitude of reasons to manage depression with a mental health professional. A psychologist is trained to recognize depression and help you cope with those feelings no matter how intense or even debilitating they are. Another instance of somebody seeking out a psychologist for help is if their marriage is challenging. Some people go to counseling for couples therapy when they are on the precipice of separating, or if they want to strengthen their existing relationship. Couples counseling can be a temporary measure until communication between these two people improves, or can be a long-term commitment to making the relationship stronger.
I Don’t Believe in Therapy
Some people are fearful to see a psychologist because they “don’t believe in therapy.” If your friend expresses this sentiment, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to convince them to change their mind. However, if you have gone to therapy, you may be able to share those experiences with them in the hopes that they may reconsider trying this for themselves. People make their own decisions even if others inform them of their own positive experiences with counseling.
Getting Sober
Therapy can help if you are working on getting sober. Whether your substance is alcohol or drugs, accomplishing sobriety is not instantaneous. You may be doing things to help yourself such as going to inpatient treatment or outpatient. Perhaps you are attending AA meetings or NA meetings. Therapy can be a supplement to these treatments, or it could be the primary means of getting sober. Working with somebody who understands substance abuse is something that you may consider to let go of your addiction. It’s essential to find somebody who understands addiction so they can help you best.
Therapy is a Nonjudgmental Environment
Remember that therapy isn’t a place where the mental health professional is there to criticize you or point out your flaws. The right therapist wants to help you get better and live a more fulfilling life where you can function. Your psychologist wants you to be well. They want you to find joy in life and be able to succeed. Whatever goals you want to accomplish – your therapist is there to support them. If you’re on the fence about trying therapy, consider working with either someone in your local area or an online psychologist who can help you create a plan that promotes wellness. It can be challenging to seek out help if you’re feeling down or depressed. But there is hope, and you might find it by working with someone who cares.
This is a featured post by site sponsor Better Help.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Photo Credit: Pixabay