Do I need to go to therapy?
You may have considered seeing a therapist and are unsure if you really need to take that step. Or you may wonder if it will be helpful or if your concern is really enough of a problem to talk to a professional about.
I see people in my private practice who have a wide range of concerns. Some concerns are mildly problematic while others are debilitating. Some concerns popped up recently (job loss, conflict, grief) while others have been ongoing (low self-esteem, relationship problems, abuse, addiction, stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain).
Many people I see are like the "walking wounded." If this describes you, it means you function very well in your life in most areas, but there is one area or thing that you really struggle with. Others may not even know that you are struggling because you seem to have it all together.
However, others may have more longstanding and severe concerns. It may be difficult to carry out daily tasks such as getting out of bed, showering, and eating regular meals. You may have given up on other activities such as exercising, socializing, and doing things you previously enjoyed.
Whatever the concern, if it's causing a problem in your life and you don't know how to overcome it, then it may be time to speak to a therapist.
When I meet with clients, we often start by increasing awareness of negative beliefs that are keeping them stuck, replacing these beliefs with realistic thoughts, and then one is on the path that leads to personal growth.
It takes guts to get help
It takes a lot of guts and courage to speak to a therapist. I get it! It's okay to reach out and ask for help - give yourself permission to do this if needed. We all need help at some time in our life. Asking for help is a strength. It's easier to do nothing and maintain the status quo but then one remains stuck.
You may have tried to get help from your friends or family or they may have offered their help. Even though they care about you and want the best for you, they are not therapists. It's not recommended that loved ones take on this helping/therapist role. When they do, this can become a co-dependent relationship where they are only okay if you're okay. They can become pre-occupied with your problem and what needs to be done to fix it or fix you!
This can backfire and it's not a healthy relationship. It's okay for family and friends to take a step back and support you vs. trying to "fix you." When they step back, it doesn't mean they don't care about you - it just means they can't do it FOR you. They can't be in the middle arranging the outcome. Yet they can fully support you in getting the help you need.
So if you're struggling and not moving forward and don't see a way out of the problem - big or small, feel free to contact me at matthews77@shaw.ca or 780-721-9157. If you know someone else who is struggling and would benefit from this message, please forward this blog to them or send them over to my website thepsychologysite.org
Hi! I'm Beth Matthews. I'm a Registered Psychologist who is driven to helping people feel better about themselves. I help people who are struggling in their lives gain an awareness of how they can cope with anything that comes their way. With my easy-to-use strategies, you can feel better and be your best you!
matthews77@shaw.ca
780-721-9157
thepsychologysite.org
