Have you ever wondered, “Do I need therapy?” If you’ve asked yourself that question, you’re not alone. I hear this question a lot, as people try to decide whether or not to seek out additional support. In short, therapy is an incredible process. It’s designed to help you navigate through life’s tough stuff. It can provide support, validation, and guidance for just about anything. Yet, I think our understanding of when to seek therapy is often misguided.
So many people view therapy as a last resort, when all other options have been exhausted. They view therapy as something to try only when they’re at the bottom of a deep dark hole. However, I’m a firm believer that we don’t have to wait this long! Therapy isn’t a last resort, and it can be beneficial in a ton of different scenarios. So today, I’m sharing the answer to the commonly asked question, “Do I need therapy,” sharing three clues it’s time.
1. You feel stuck. Feeling stuck is a really good clue it could be time for therapy. Simply stated, feeling stuck means you’re not sure where to go or what to do. We know how we want to feel, but we aren’t sure how to get there. Perhaps you’ve been having the same argument with your partner. No matter what try, no matter how many conversations y’all have, you can’t seem to get anywhere. Nothing is changing. You feel stuck.
If you’ feel like you’ve tried everything you know, but things still feel the same, reach out for therapy. Feeling stuck isn’t fun.
2. You feel alone. Do you feel like no one gets it? Do you feel like you don’t have anyone to turn to? If this is you, therapy is a great option. When we feel alone, our pain has lots of room to grow. Doubt and fear creep in, and we wonder what’s wrong with us. Remember, feeling alone doesn’t have to mean that you sit in your house all by yourself. It might look like this, but not always. It’s common for people to be surrounded by others and still feel lonely. In short, if you feel alone, reach out. You don’t have to walk your struggle alone.
3. Your struggles are impacting your daily functioning or performance. If you notice that things are starting to slip, this could be a clue it’s time for therapy. You’re late to work several days; you snap at your kids more often. You’re so anxious that you can’t focus or concentrate. You’re up at night worrying about recent family issues. Your sleep is terrible. If this sounds familiar, reach out. Your body and brain are telling you that they’re tapped out, overloaded, and in need of some help.
Perhaps the question, “Do I need therapy?” could be better translated to, “Could I benefit from therapy?” If you recognize one of these three clues, the answer is probably yes. Maybe it’s time to reach out for therapy. Remember, therapy doesn’t have to be a last resort. It’s an amazing, collaborative, and beneficial process, designed to help you better navigate what’s going on. Taking that first step can be hard, but also so freeing. Is it time?
PS: If you’re interested in therapy but not sure where to start, check out my post on how to find a therapist.
Please note that this video and my website are not a substitute for therapy. Therapy is an awesomely unique experience, that typically calls for the client and therapist to be in the room together. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. If you’re ever in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- TALK (8255).
