It’s estimated that one in five Americans are living with a mental health diagnosis. If you feel that your mental health is impacting your quality of life, it may be time to consider professional counseling. The first step in improving is recognizing that a problem exists and that there’s something that you can do about it.
Therapy can help by providing a non-judgmental space to deal with trauma, stress, anxiety, mood disorders, relationship issues, and more, and learn healthy ways to cope and improve your quality of life.
3 Signs That it’s Time to Consider Therapy
While we all face challenges in life, there are several signs that professional help may be needed. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or your quality of life is impacted by your mental health, it may be time to see a therapist. It is important to note that although it can be stigmatized, there is no shame in seeking help from a therapist.1
Here are three signs that it may be time to see a therapist:
1. You Often Feel Overwhelmed
When you find yourself constantly questioning your life and struggle with finishing daily tasks at work or at home, seeking therapy is a good idea. Increased stress and feelings of being overwhelmed can be an indication of depression or anxiety—which can be treated and managed through therapy. Experiencing trauma in the past or recently can also be an indication that it’s time to get some professional assistance. While we can deal with trauma differently, processing complicated emotions and addressing feelings of guilt and shame can be empowering.
2. Increased Irritability in Your Relationships
Experiencing an abrupt change in relationship dynamics or struggles with communication can mean that it’s time to talk to a professional. Couples therapy has been shown to have a positive impact on the emotional well-being of both partners and it can be a great way to learn some skills and techniques that will enhance your relationship.2 Relationships can be challenging and having a neutral party present can help you process your feelings and communicate your needs to your family or your partner.
3. Depression or Anxiety Interferes With Your Quality of Life
Symptoms of depression and anxiety can include feeling hopeless, decreased motivation, increased isolation, decreased or increased appetite and difficulty sleeping.3 If your symptoms are impacting your ability to complete daily tasks in your house or at work, it’s time to make an appointment with a therapist. Additionally, another good course of action is to reach out to your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist to discuss medication options.
What Are the Benefits of Seeing a Therapist?
Seeing a therapist is an important part of dealing with mental health issues and there are many benefits of seeing a therapist. The benefits of therapy are numerous and the effectiveness of therapy is well-documented.
Benefits of having a therapist include:
- Hearing from an individual that has an unbiased perspective
- The opportunity to process previous experiences and past traumas in a healthy way
- Learning healthy ways and coping skills to manage stress, depression and anxiety.
- Increasing your confidence and developing a healthy self-image and self-esteem.
What Type of Mental Health Professional Should I See?
There are several types of mental health professionals that you can see for therapy. With the exception of psychiatrists that have a medical degree, mental health professionals have a master’s degree or higher in their field. They have completed several thousand hours of supervised work experience after graduate school and have passed a national certification/licensure exam. It’s important to keep in mind that different types of mental health professionals can help with different needs.
Different types of mental health professionals can help with different concerns:
- Psychologist: Psychologists can administer standardized tests that can confirm a diagnosis of a learning disorder, autism, or other mental health disorders.4 A psychologist can be a great resource if you are looking for confirmation and treatment of a diagnosis that requires extensive testing.
- Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists specialize in disorders of the brain and while many of them don’t actively provide therapy services, there are some that do. A psychiatrist typically provides medication evaluations and prescribes medications for mental illness. If your mental health symptoms are interfering with your quality of life and daily tasks, a psychiatrist can be a great resource to help you find a medication regimen that works for you and your needs.
- Counselor: Counselors work with individuals of all ages and can have various areas of specialty. A counselor may be a good fit for your needs if you want to work through childhood trauma and increase your self-awareness and self-confidence.
- Clinical Social Worker: Social Workers are skilled in evaluating and treating individuals within the context of their environment and social supports. A social worker may be a good fit for you if you’re experiencing life challenges that involve friends, work, school and other systems.
- Marriage and Family Therapist: Marriage and Family Therapists specialize in family and couple systems and are specifically trained in working with individuals who are having relational challenges.5 If you’re experiencing family discord or difficulty in your relationship with your partner, then a marriage and family therapist may be a good fit for you.
What If I’ve Tried Therapy Before & It Didn’t Work?
Therapy is not a magic wand or an easy fix to all your problems. It requires intention, dedication and perseverance to become a better version of yourself. There can be situations where a therapist does not specialize in the area that you have come to therapy for and may need to refer you to another provider.6
Many times individuals go to therapy and have unrealistic expectations of what the process entails. While a therapist can give you a different perspective and provide you with ideas on how to better manage stress, the responsibility is on you to make the necessary changes in your life.
You can have all the resources and support in the world, but change begins within and some people are in therapy, but they don’t have any desire to change or grow. Therapy may feel uncomfortable because you’re being challenged, but you should never feel like you’re emotionally unsafe or that you are being emotionally attacked.
How to Find the Right Therapist
Choosing a therapist is an important step in getting help. It’s important to work with a mental health professional that you trust and who you feel has your best interest at heart. You need to work with a mental health professional that is culturally sensitive and is able to gently challenge you. If you feel like you aren’t getting what you need out of your therapy experience, speak up to your therapist and let them know what you are feeling.
A good place to start your search is a therapist directory. To get started, you can also call your insurance company to ask for a list of providers in your area and then reach out to them individually. Many times, therapists also offer a free initial phone or video consultation where you can ask questions about their specialties and approach to therapy. An initial consultation is also a great opportunity to ask if they are in network with your insurance and their session rate.
While most therapists are trained in addressing depression and anxiety, there are numerous other specialties that therapists can get additional training in. Be honest about what you think you need help with when you talk to a prospective therapist and ask what they would do in therapy to help you address your challenges.
