Why Should I Go To Therapy?

If you’re thinking about starting psychotherapy for the first time or starting again after some time away, it’s completely normal to feel apprehensive. But when you put off seeking professional help, it’ll take you that much longer to reap the benefits that talk therapy has to offer.

Therapists guide clients through some of the most personal and difficult experiences of their lives, helping them navigate loss, overcome relationship issues, and make positive changes in their mental well-being. In therapy, people also learn how to cope with mental health symptoms that may interfere with work, school, relationships, and other components of daily life.

While medication can help improve the symptoms of some mental health conditions, therapy can help you learn valuable skills to manage your mental health. These skills last long after therapy ends, giving you the tools you need to cope with challenging situations in any stage of life.

Benefits of Therapy

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to experience something traumatic to benefit from talk therapy—and you don’t need to have a mental health diagnosis to feel the positive side effects of opening up to someone. From improving your communication skills to learning more about yourself, psychotherapy has wide-ranging benefits, including:

• Therapy takes you out of your comfort zone. During your first session, opening up to a stranger about your personal problems might feel intimidating—and that’s OK. After forming a relationship with your psychotherapist, you’ll start feeling more comfortable with the therapeutic process. Above all else, therapy provides a safe space to discuss your specific psychological and emotional problems with someone who can provide helpful advice, empathy, and a willingness to listen.
• Therapy helps you become more self-aware. Sometimes, it’s easy to push problems to the side and ignore them until they take a serious toll on your mental well-being. With the help of your therapist, you’ll learn how to recognize your emotions, problems you’re struggling to confront, and the root causes underlying your behaviors.
• Therapy provides an opportunity to focus on yourself. Between work, relationships, and family life, it can feel impossible to find time to focus on your own wellness. Even if you journal or practice other forms of self-care, therapy can provide a space to voice your concerns to a professional. Counseling helps you carve time out of your schedule to explore your mental health concerns, set goals, and express your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

What type of therapy is right for you?

Counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers offer many different types of therapy. Sometimes, an individual will respond better to one type of therapy than another. As a result, mental health professionals may consider the specific challenges and personalities of prospective clients when determining which type of talk therapy to utilize.

Some common types of therapy you might encounter include:

• Psychodynamic therapy. With foundations in psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy helps individuals identify the root causes of their emotional and mental health problems to live healthier lives.
• Humanistic therapy and existential therapy. These types of therapy emphasize the belief that people are good at heart and focus on the importance of being your true self to live a fulfilling life.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals explore the relationships between their thoughts, feelings, and emotions to uncover healthy patterns of thinking and behaving and make positive changes.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT helps individuals accept uncomfortable thoughts, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and establish a gradual plan toward recovery.
• Couples therapy and family therapy. These therapeutic modalities can help individuals navigate relationship issues and family conflicts. With the help of a family therapist or couples counselor, individuals can improve communication skills with family members and significant others.
• Music therapy. Music therapy uses music interventions to help individuals improve communication skills, alleviate stress, and express their emotions.

In addition to different types of therapy, many mental health professionals are also offering both in-person and online counseling options. For many individuals, online therapy offers a more convenient, affordable option than in-person sessions, making it easy to access mental health care from the comfort of your own home. With that said, if affordable counseling is a priority, be sure to ask your health insurer about insurance coverage for online therapy.

How To Find the Best Therapist

When it comes to finding the right therapist, it’s essential to prioritize your comfort. According to the American Psychological Association, forming a therapeutic relationship with your mental health provider can help you feel more comfortable during therapy sessions, which can lead to better long-term psychological outcomes.

In other words, because talk therapy often requires discussing personal, intimate details of your life, finding a good match can make the therapeutic process that much easier. Above all else, your psychologist should provide a willingness to listen and empathy as you navigate challenging situations and emotions.

To find the best therapist for you, reach out to a licensed therapist through The Therapy Group of NYC. Whether you’re experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or family conflicts, we know that therapy is hard work. One of our compassionate, experienced therapists will listen to your specific challenges and help you navigate your mental wellness.