“Can therapy help me?”

“My problems are not as bad as other people’s problems?”

“I have not experienced trauma so I shouldn’t feel depressed?”

“I have so many privileges that I shouldn’t feel sad or anxious.”

These are just a few statements that I have come across during my time as a therapist. A major struggle for those thinking about therapy is understanding the purpose of therapy. Therapy is very beneficial for major mental health diagnoses such as depression, bi polar disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD and many others. Now let’s use a fitness center as a general example, is the fitness center only available to those with chiseled bodies that look carved from clay? Is the fitness center only for professional athletes preparing for competition? The answer is no because a fitness center is a place where you are going to see someone from every walk or stage of life. You will have those that have been dedicated to fitness for years, you will have those that are new and have not worked out in years, you will have those that are looking for change, those looking for a new activity, and those just trying to work through a difficult time.

Therapy is no different.

Some of my most enlightening cases have been those that have centered around the feeling of being stuck, going through a life transition, feeling stress (which is something everyone experiences) or feeling lost. So is therapy for everyone? The answer is probably not, but can therapy help everyone? The answer is yes and here is a list of 5 benefits of therapy.

5 Benefits of Therapy

  1. Emotional Support/ Improved Mental Health:
    • The therapeutic space provides a safe and confidential area to share and express your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Therapists are trained professionals that understand the art of listening, the importance of validating emotions and offering empathy which are important things to experience during difficult times.
    • Our mental health is now being better understood as a key function in the framework of individuals. Therapy helps people develop effective coping skills and strategies when dealing with emotional challenges. It helps us learn ways to manage stress, anxiety and depression.
  2. Stress Management:
    • Stress is a universal feeling experienced differently from person to person. According to the American Psychological Association 55% of Americans are stressed during the day. Therapy provides the individual with practical adjustments to daily routines as well as effective coping skills and strategies that help manage feelings of stress. I like to remind people that therapy alone will not take away your stress, but it will help you learn techniques to better understand and cope with stress.
  3. Improving Self Through Personal Growth:
    • Therapy helps the individual gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their behaviors and thought patterns. Therapy can also help the individual work through personal and professional challenges while also helping improve goal attainment. Through therapy the individual can also work through feelings of low self esteem and low confidence while navigating and addressing barriers of growth.
  4. Life Transitions:

    • Transitions in life are inevitable, sometimes those transitions can make us feel lost, stuck, or challenged. Major life changes such as divorce, marriage, retirement, career change, parenting relocating, and experiencing loss can all be emotionally challenging. Therapy helps the individual navigate these transitions, it helps them better understand those transitions and helps the individual adapt to change and learn to make informed decisions.
  5. Improve Communication:

    • Through therapy we can learn effective ways to better communicate. Learning to express oneself more effectively can lead to better understanding and fewer conflicts. Improving communication through therapy also helps relationships explore barriers to communication, discuss trust issues and better understand conflicts within the relationships

In a world that seems to be moving at a relentless pace, it has become more crucial than ever to exercise our mental health. Therapy, once stigmatized, is now known as a powerful tool and resource in a person’s journey for self-discovery and growth. Whether you are dealing with stress or anxiety, depression or grief, struggling to find purpose, or looking to grow family dynamics, starting therapy can be a transformative and empowering choice. Here is a list of 3 reasons why beginning your therapy journey can be a wise choice.

3 Reasons Why Beginning Therapy Can be a Wise Choice

  1. Emotional Regulation: Learning How to Build Resiliency During Challenges
    • Our lives are filled with challenges as well as ups and downs. Learning ways to navigate through these challenges is not always easy, but therapy can help you develop the skills to feel equipped during those moments. Therapists can provide tools and techniques, they can help make adjustments to routines and schedules to help manage feelings such as anxiety, stress, depression, and more. The goal is to build resiliency in the face of challenging situations while remaining calm and controlled.
  2. Improved Relationships: Communication and Connection
    • Healthy relationships provide fundamental frameworks for our lives. Therapy provides a space for people to explore relationships deeper, it helps people develop a better understanding of how to improve communication skills. It helps people understand patterns within relationships while also helping the individual better understand their dynamics to help build meaningful connections.
  3. Coping with Life Transitions: Navigating Change
    • Life is filled with different transitions, from career changes to personal milestones and even loss. Transitions bring change which also can provide moments of turmoil, sadness, confusion, fear, and anger. A therapist can help provide support and guidance during challenging moments. Therapy helps the individual navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions.

So who does therapy benefit? The benefit that you get from therapy depends on what you are trying to get or find through it. Therapy can be a place to explore thinking patterns or discuss issues that have become intrusive to us. Whether you are experiencing stress, a life transition, stress, depression, anxiety or just feeling stuck, therapy can help. Therapy will most importantly help you grow as a person and it will help you learn a lot about yourself.

Therapy provides many benefits for those who are looking for help. Therapy is a commitment to personal growth and self-improvement. Therapy provides the opportunity to unlock the doors of self-discovery, resiliency, improved relationships, and living more fulfilling lives. Most importantly, therapy is an investment in your future happiness by helping people understand and cope with underlying issues and helping them develop healthy coping skills.

Luis Miguel Amador
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