Many people still believe that mental health care is only for those with severe or diagnosable mental illness. I’ve heard people say, “I don’t need a therapist. I’m not depressed,” or “I’m not crazy. I don’t need therapy.” The truth is, everyone can benefit from therapy. That doesn’t mean everyone has mental illness, but it means that therapy can help address everyday problems. Even if you don’t have any problems, therapy can help you accomplish goals and improve your relationships (even if they are great!).
Here are some everyday reasons to go to therapy:
- Fought with a friend and don’t know how to resolve it
- Lack of motivation / general malaise and fatigue
- Time management and procrastination
- Wishing you had a different job
- Body image issues
- Marital conflict
- Standing up for yourself
- Learning communication / boundary skills – improving on them in relationships at home/ work/ family/ friends
- Rebuilding trust in relationships (romantic/ friendships) / working through a betrayal
- Poor concentration
- Poor sleep/ insomnia
- Self-esteem / self-confidence
- Managing frustration
- Making time for and figuring out effective self-care strategies
- Help with child rearing/disciplining your child
- Learning how to cope with a loved one’s addiction
- Grief – loss of a relative, friend, pet, job, physical mobility, sense of self/ identity, etc.
- Personal growth
- Everyday stress regarding work, family, relationships, schoolwork, etc.
- Don’t have friends who can provide healthy good judgment or be a sounding board to give helpful ideas about different things (so a therapist is a helpful option)
- Coping with a global pandemic – and the unknowns
- Coping with major life transitions/ phase of life / existential concerns
- Supporting a friend or family member who has mental illness
Seeing a Therapist Can Be a Part of Self-Care
Prevention is the best medicine… and that’s the same for your mental health. Make therapy part of your self-care routine. That time in your session is dedicated to YOU and no one else. After your session, schedule time to decompress rather than jumping into the next thing right away. Unwind after your session and reflect on what was said; go for a walk, meditate, drink tea in peace. All of this is about self-care and nourishing yourself. Nothing has to be “wrong” with you to carve out time for yourself.
Therapy for Everyday Problems Reduces Stigma
Knowing that therapy isn’t just for “crazy” people and is helpful for everyone helps break the stigma of going to therapy. It empowers you to talk openly about your experiences and emotions and teaches you how to communicate those effectively. You can feel more confident and less alone about bringing it up with friends and family. Here are some concrete ways you can reduce mental health stigma.
How to Make the Most Out of Therapy
Therapy isn’t necessarily designed to be “forever.” Oftentimes it’s solution-focused with clear set goals created by both the client and therapist. You have the control over terminating therapy or continuing based on if it’s meeting your needs and goals. You have the freedom to decide what goals to work on, frequency, length of treatment, and to find a different therapist if it’s not working out. Just keep an open mind and take the therapist’s suggestions given their expertise. If you disagree with something they say, don’t be afraid to speak your truth! Want to read more about how to make the best of your therapy sessions? Check out this blog post on how to be empowered during therapy.
Everyone Has the Right to Take Care of their Mental Well-Being
You don’t have to wait until you can’t manage your feelings or for a diagnosis. Therapy can help you meet your goals, improve your relationships, and just make you feel better! Dr. Heather Violante offers teletherapy to those living in Florida and New York, as well as the states enrolled in PsyPact (listed below). Contact her today to start taking control of and improving your life!
Offering Online Therapy in 39 States
Dr. Heather Violante is a licensed psychologist in the states of Florida and New York. Additionally, I have Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT Commission. I provide telehealth (online video therapy) to adults living in the 39 participating PSYPACT states listed below. For a list of current PSYPACT participating states, please visit the PSYPACT website at: https://www.psypact.org/psypactmap.
PsyPact enrolled states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming