Even when we are feeling our worst, when life has become overwhelming and working through our trauma seems too difficult, sometimes we are still hesitant to accept help. Our friends and family suggest we may benefit from speaking with a therapist. We’ve seen therapy sessions in film and television and heard the stories from those who are still struggling. Perhaps we are apprehensive about revisiting our trauma and reopening wounds from our past. Additionally, there appears to be an air of judgment surrounding seeking help from a therapist. Although we are desperate to heal and move forward with our lives, these opinions and portrayals hold us back from giving therapy a shot. Let’s look a bit further into these fears and misconceptions to find the root of these negative associations.
The Stigma of Therapy
There is a sort of taboo that surrounds attending therapy. Some of us assume that therapy is only for people with serious mental illnesses. Or perhaps we believe that we will be diagnosed with a disorder that also holds a stigma. Maybe our family members, friends, or portrayals in film and television have taught us that therapy is only for people who are weak and helpless. We assume that only truly unstable people go to therapy, and we don’t fit that image. We might even be afraid that the role of a therapist is to make analyses and assumptions about who we are as a person. That’s not a risk we are willing to take.
Although these theories can feel valid, the truth is that therapy is different for every person. Your needs and goals are unique to your personal experiences and struggles. Therefore your therapy sessions will be tailored to what will work the best for you. The majority of people who go to therapy aren’t diagnosed with a serious mental health disorder. Instead, they are the people who are grieving the death of a loved one, trying to rebuild a relationship or manage heartbreak, working through problems with family members, or even simply having a hard time in school. The process teaches you the skills to work through the common obstacles that are a part of life and can help you to heal from these hardships at your own pace.
Why Should I Talk to a Stranger?
Some of us feel uncomfortable with the idea of opening up to a person we don’t really know. Although they are medical professionals, they are still strangers to us and we are hesitant to trust them with our deepest fears and hardships. How can they possibly understand what I am going through when they don’t even know me? While we might typically turn to our closest friends and family members for advice and guidance, sometimes it can be even more beneficial to seek help from someone on the outside. An unbiased perspective can help us to see things that we may have missed, or to understand viewpoints that we haven’t considered. Of course, our friends and family members can offer help, but they may be too close to you to provide the most helpful input. Therapists are educated and trained to work with you and offer a fresh start. They are a brand new person to speak to about your issues from a neutral standpoint. Since there isn’t an emotional connection, as there is with a friend or family member, a therapist is a professional who can also represent a blank slate. He or she will listen to you and ask questions that you may not have previously considered. The therapist can offer new ways for you to approach your problems and trauma that could bring you the most relief.
My Problems Aren’t That Bad
From the portrayals of therapy in popular movies and television shows, and from the accounts of those around us, we may feel that our issues aren’t serious enough to require therapy. We’ve heard of people who’ve experienced terrible things and have severe mental health disorders who go to therapy, and our problems are nothing like that. We’re just having trouble sleeping. We’re having a harder time than usual coping with a recent breakup. A family member died, and even though we weren’t very close, it’s had a lasting painful effect on us. Maybe we’ve moved to a new city and are having trouble acclimating. There are so many reasons that we struggle in our lives, and therapy can be beneficial for any and all of them. No two people have the same exact problems in their lives, and that is why your therapist will work with you at your own pace, specifically tailoring your sessions to fit your needs. Just because we haven’t gone through something that we consider to be horrible or life-changing, doesn’t make our struggles are less valid and worthy of treatment. Both problems and solutions come in all shapes and sizes and you may be able to get through yours with the help of a therapist so that you can live a more fulfilling life.
It’s Not Going to Help Me
When we feel that we’ve reached a low point and haven’t found relief through our own attempts to move forward, we become uncertain that healing is even possible. How can talking about my problems with a therapist make any difference? Perhaps we’ve already tried everything we can think of, we’ve taken advice from the people around us, and yet we are still struggling. Speaking with a professional can be an eye-opening experience. Therapists can help us see things we hadn’t been aware of before and can help us get to the root of our problems. If we’ve been through trauma, therapy can help us work through how the trauma impacted us, potentially in ways that we hadn’t even realized. It may seem like a big leap to take, but the result is that we are better able to heal and recover. Therapy has been beneficial for people with all kinds of backgrounds, experiences, and lifestyles. Given a chance, even if you have questions or concerns, therapy can be the best thing to help you move forward and find peace.
At The Guest House Ocala we have over 12 years of experience in recovery and have helped so many people find their happiness. You are worthy of a healthy and fulfilling life, and our staff is well-trained and excited to work with you to guide you through recovery. Call 855-483-7800 today for more information.