People start with therapy for different reasons. It usually has to do with finding a solution for a conflict or discovering new insights to cope with undesirable thoughts and behaviors.
Many of us start with therapy after big events: breakups, the death of a loved one, the death of a pet, marital issues, or the loss of a job. We seek to find new ways to cope with stress, heal from trauma, improve relationships, learn how to manage difficult emotions, find acceptance, and create strategies to live a more meaningful life.
For example, many people will be encouraged by family and friends to find a therapist while facing challenging times. Others intuitively know that they don’t have enough resources to cope with a situation, and thus simply need extra help.
Essentially therapy is prevention. It is like when you have a check-up with a doctor or dentist. It is no different when you injure yourself and need medical care. Obviously, if you don’t get treatment the injury becomes more painful and chronic over time.
The Stigma: Why is it so difficult to start therapy?
It is difficult to start therapy because people may want to figure out solutions on their own, wearing their “superman/superwoman cape” and thinking, “I should be able to solve this one myself.” Unfortunately, this reinforces the misconception that people who seek therapy are inherently broken, which could not be further from the truth.
Let’s work together to reach your goals! I offer confidential, compassionate support in my online therapy practice from Frankfurt.
When to get help
You find help with a therapist when you have specific issues in your life that aren’t getting better despite your best efforts. That is to say, suffering alone is unnecessary.
No matter how difficult therapy may seem, take it as an opportunity to grow and develop – it is the true sign of strength and progress.
Caring for your mental health is essential: here are numbers you can call when you need to talk to someone in Frankfurt.
Reflecting on how your actions affect others
If you feel that your lifestyle choices and behaviors are having a negative impact on those you care about, it may be beneficial to explore this further in therapy.
Therapy can be an invaluable tool for developing healthier relationships with yourself and others, and for understanding the consequences of your decisions and actions.
Feeling Sad
If you are feeling sad, there is no “I am not depressed enough” when it comes to seeking help. If you feel sad, therapy can be beneficial for anyone experiencing depression.
Having difficulty concentrating
If you are having difficulty concentrating, working with a therapist can help. It can assist you in identifying and understanding the root causes of the problem.
Therapy helps you pinpoint the thoughts and emotions connected to this issue, and create solutions that will help you stay focused and on task.
To sum up
Therapy is a safe and non-judgmental container designed to make people feel safe enough so that they can share and explore things that they would not share with others, and ultimately embrace all of their parts.
Getting help is probably the bravest and smartest act of compassion one can have. This is just as true whether you’re experiencing a big life event or just feel like you need a little help or someone to talk to.
A question to pounder
The emotion I avoid the most is?
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