Why Everyone Should See a Therapist
Your Mental Health is something you should take seriously, especially this year!
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Addressing The Stigma
In your life, you will or may already have experienced a mental health crisis or challenge, such as depression, trauma, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, eating disorders, or alcohol and drug abuse. Mental health disorders are more common than you think, as 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health disorder at any year. Normally, when someone experiences a mental health illness, they would treat the illness by talking to a therapist which is why there is a stigma associated with therapy. Unfortunately, society has linked therapy with mental illness, which makes people feel ashamed or even embarrassed to be talking to a therapist. Some clients would not even acknowledge their therapist if they ever met in public.
However, we live in a different world now, as there is less of a stigma surrounding therapy, as we all understand the importance of our mental health. Several entities are big on mental health, constantly pushing and promoting mental wellness, from corporations to influential individuals, such as Michelle Obama, Dwayne Johnson, Prince Harry, Adele, Kanye West, Howie Mandel, and many more. Big Corporations are even offering counseling services to their employees in the workplace. Especially during the pandemic, people are more cautious of both their physical and mental health, as there has been an increase in both mental illnesses and demand for mental health services.
“I think there’s definitely less stigma around accessing therapy these days. The idea that you only went to therapy if there was something seriously wrong with you’ is no longer so prevalent and as a society, we have a much greater understanding about the risks of not attending to our mental health.” — Abbey Robb, Integrative therapist.
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Prevention Is Better Than Cure
There are two sides to therapy, you got the illness side and then you got the wellness side. The illness side was what I was talking about just now, where an individual would see a therapist if he/she has a mental illness. Now, the wellness side is where an individual would see a therapist, not because he/she has a problem, but because that individual wants to simply better him/herself as a human being. Take LeBron James for an example, he spends 1.5 million dollars a year on his body alone. There is nothing wrong with LeBron James, he simply requires his body to perform at the highest level, preventing potential injuries, fatigue and increasing the longevity in his career.
Going to therapy should be the same, if not better than going to the gym or going to the doctors’ for a physical check-up. People go to the gym to stay fit and healthy, to prevent any sort of problems that may end them up in the hospital, problems like coronary heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, breathlessness, flabby body, little energy, stiff joints, osteoporosis, poor posture, or overweight. Now, your mental health is just as important as your physical health, if not taken care of, it will affect everything around you, your career, relationships, motivation, your drive to accomplish your goals, and eventually your physical health as well. You will find yourself in isolation, driving your loved ones away, depressed, and having suicidal thoughts. You will then eventually have a hard time finding the purpose of your precious life. Fortunately, these can be prevented by seeing a therapist on a weekly or monthly basis.
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What Therapy Can Do For You
Going to therapy is not an easy and short process. The mind is very complicated and it may even take months or years to reach your goals. By going to therapy, you will better understand yourself, how your mind works. You will discover and truly understand the reasons you do the things you do, feel the way you feel, and behave the way you do. In today’s society, we are constantly on the move, constantly busy, and many of you do not have the time or even take the time to self-reflect.
Now, I am sure you have heard of how important self-awareness is, as it is the key to almost everything you do. Gary Vaynerchuk; entrepreneur, author, and internet personality has always preached about self-awareness. Essentially, therapy will help you improve your self-awareness, build on your strengths and identify areas where you like to improve on.
As you learn and understand more about yourself, you will also learn how to be the best version of yourself. Therapy can help you prepare for anything life throws at you. When you understand yourself better, knowing what gets you mad, how to relax, or what gets you going, you will know how to best manage it. It is through the little things that you go through in your everyday life, whether it be stress, depression, anxiety, or grief, you will cope with it better and healthier. I found a quote that best describes what I am trying to say by Debasish Bhola:
“Self-Mastery is the key to success. Master Yourself, Master the World.”
More specific reasons on why everyone should see a therapist can help you learn to love yourself more, be a better communicator, better in your marriage, relationships, career, parenting, learn to forgive and let go, or even finding the purpose of your life. If you’re sick of being pushed around, not knowing how to say no, therapy can also help you practice assertiveness, to express yourself better.
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Therapy Can Be A Wonderful Experience
You must wonder why can’t you just talk to your friends or family members. It is mainly because they are not professionals; they are people that know you, and every single of them will have their own opinions and judgment on what you should or should not do, which is very unhealthy for you. As for a therapist, they are trained, mental health professionals. I understand you may think you do not need therapy. There is no harm in trying out therapy in your life, you can easily find one closest to you or even call a hotline depending on where you’re located. Dr. Ryan Howes, the board-certified clinical psychologist, stated:
“In summary, if your goal is to resolve a diagnosable issue, therapy will be necessary for as long as the treatment lasts, from a few weeks to a few years. When your symptoms are sufficiently managed or eliminated, you no longer “need” to be in therapy. But if your goal is beyond symptom reduction, more like wellness, prevention, and improved quality of life, take your time. Therapy can be a wonderful experience.”
