There is a common misconception that therapy is only for serious clinical conditions and otherwise a complete waste of money. Both are true to some degree. Yes, therapy offers a multitude of evidence-supported intervention approaches proven to be effective in working with challenging clinical conditions. And yes, therapy can ring up quite a bill over time for long-term clients. That being said, therapy is effective across the spectrum for many conditions and varying severity. Regardless of your mental wellness needs and goals, treatment can be tailored to support you along your journey.
At Hirsch Therapy, we don’t see therapy and counselling as just a treatment to relieve people of their symptoms but an aid to the process of discovery, understanding, healing, growth, and personal development. The real “treatment” comes from the client – their innate desire to change and improve their lives, their own personal wisdom, strengths and creativity. Therapy supplements and guides the discovery and utilisation of those innate capabilities. On that note, when you choose to seek help, should depend on the value you see in committing to this process and the urgency with which you wish to see results.
Our internal lives can be lonely. We may not be willing to share everything going on within – even with our closest loved ones. Unfortunately, many of us have grown accustomed to surviving on our own. And, sometimes it can be difficult to notice when we might benefit from support. In this article, we present you with 10 indicators for when to seek therapy so that you can benefit your mental health and well-being.
#1 Feeling Overwhelmed by a Situation and Finding It Tough to Manage
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the aeroplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”
~ Henry Ford
We all have different degrees of stress tolerance. Most of the time we can manage. Sometimes, it just becomes too much to handle on our own. Whether it’s work, family or personal issues, feeling constantly overwhelmed can take a toll on your mental health. When you are drowning under a never-ending waterfall of problems or confronted by a problem so big it feels like climbing Mount Everest; you may find yourself struggling to complete tasks; procrastinating; or feeling paralyzed by the weight of your responsibilities.
Therapy can provide you with a space to verbalise and understand your personal struggle with your problems. Here, it is not about solving your problem, but helping you regain your sense of control and getting you into a position where you feel more confident in facing your challenges.
#2 Feeling Alone and Unsupported
“I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone.”
~ Robin Williams
Loneliness is not a measure of the number of people around you. Rather, it is measured by the support you feel when you need it. Even loved ones who intend the best for you may not always be able to support you in the way that you might need it. Other times, we may have difficulties recognising the presence and support of others.
Your therapist is trained and works hard to really hear, understand, and support you. The therapeutic space offers a retreat when necessary and the foundation to build. The intention is not to replace your support network but rather to develop the ability to strengthen and amplify it.
#3 You Are Not Feeling Your Best (Like You Could Be A Better Version of Yourself)
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
~ C.S. Lewis
As children, we were a walking ball of potential – full of optimism and possibilities. Throughout our lives, however, we tend to pick up restrictions, habits, patterns, and perspectives that can narrow our vision of the world and ourselves.
The distress commonly experienced as an existential crisis often signals the return of that childhood spirit, calling you to re-examine your life and push yourself past the limitations you have set for yourself.
The therapeutic conversation can be useful in exploring these difficult concepts on the deepest level. Here we talk about mortality, purpose, meaning, values, freedom, and much more. Therapy works towards breaking free from the shackles and pursuing your fullest potential.
#4 Relationships, Work, or Other Important Aspects of Life are Being Negatively Affected
"At any given moment you have the power to say that this is not how the story is going to end."
~ Christine Mason Miller
How we relate to people and activities in our daily lives depends on our mental state. How you might react to your child spilling a cup of juice will certainly vary if your mind is consumed with anxiety, stress, anger, or bitterness. Such an emotional state can also lead to thought patterns that disrupt your focus at work. As such, your psychological state has a significant impact on your ability to connect with people, your productivity, and your overall well-being.
In therapy, we examine the root cause of the change before it becomes the new norm. The more we know, the more control we have over ourselves and how we relate to the world around us.
#5 Your Loved Ones Have Noticed a Change in You and Recommend Therapy
"Don’t be ashamed of needing help. You have a duty to fulfil just like a soldier on the wall of battle. So what if you are injured and can’t climb up without another soldier’s help?"
~ Marcus Aurelius
It can be so difficult not to take offence when someone tells us we should see a therapist. A comment like that could easily be taken as an insult to our mental capacity and sanity – that they see a weakness in us and have shone a light on it for the rest of the world to see. On the other hand, there are some instances where we may be blind to our deteriorating mental health. When someone is struggling with addiction, for example, they might rationalize or downplay the severity of their problem. The brain's reward system also becomes heavily involved, making it easier to focus on the benefits and discount the damage they are doing to themselves and their loved ones.
When we cannot see ourselves, our loved ones can provide the closest reflection of our inner world - they also tend to have our best interests at heart. It might, therefore, be worth paying attention to their concerns. Therapy is not about trying to fix or change you, nor does it make you any less of a person for agreeing to it. Rather, it is a space for you to be heard, heal, and grow. If anything, it shows the courage you have to confront your dragons. And, if not for yourself, at least give it a try to put your loved one’s mind at ease. It must not be very easy for them to see a loved one slowly deteriorate.
#6 You Are Experiencing Physiological Symptoms Without Any Medical Cause
"There is no coming to consciousness without pain."
~ Carl Jung
Stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil often manifest physical symptoms such as headaches, heat sensations, stomach problems, acid reflux, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, muscle tension, fatigue, or even changes in sleep patterns and appetite. That isn’t to say that the symptoms are not real, but rather that there may be a misinterpretation of the symptoms. For example, the symptoms of a panic attack are often mistaken for signs of a heart attack or stroke. This phenomenon usually occurs in people who have certain beliefs about health, a tendency to focus on bodily sensations over their psychological state, and catastrophising their conditions. This often leads to persistent checking behaviours such as increased visits to the doctor and excessive online research.
Therapy can help you address the unhelpful thought patterns and the underlying emotional distress, leading to improvements not just in your physical health, but your mental wellbeing as well.
#7 Losing Interest in Things You Would Normally Enjoy
"Healing may not be so much about getting better, as about letting go of everything that isn't you — all of the expectations, all of the beliefs — and becoming who you are."
– Rachel Naomi Remen
A loss of interest or pleasure in activities that once brought you joy could mean that your tastes have changed or that you might have outgrown certain activities. Losing the ability to feel interest or enjoyment (aka Anhedonia), however, is a hallmark sign of emotional distress, often linked to conditions like depression, chronic stress, and addictions. Other symptoms may include feeling emotionally numb, devoid of meaning in life, social withdrawal, and a general lack of motivation.
In therapy, we would work towards understanding what is causing the anhedonia and why. This is usually followed up with a tailored plan to help you re-discover your vitality and zest as you re-engage with life.
#8 You Are Struggling with Major Life Changes
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
~ Albert Einstein
Change and transition are inevitable in life. These can happen in different ways such as:
- Life stage transitions (e.g. moving from childhood to adulthood, becoming parents, retiring)
- Situational transitions (e.g. graduation, promotion, or migration)
- Relational transitions (e.g. marriage, divorce, parenthood, step-parenthood)
- Illness-related transitions (e.g. chronic illness diagnosis, impairment, or disability)
- Event-related transitions (e.g. trauma, inspiration, or other life-changing events)
We see changes and transitions as turning the page in your book. In this case, therapy tends to revolve around verbalising your story and making sense of the distress you might be experiencing around entering the next chapter of your life. It can also provide guidance and support as you navigate and grow from these transitions, helping you adjust to new circumstances and manage any accompanying anxiety or grief.
#9 You Feel Stuck and Unsure
“There is no trap so deadly as the trap you set for yourself.”
~ Raymond Chandler
In life, we are forced to make choices all the time. Unfortunately, we don’t always have full clarity about what to do – this gives rise to the anxiety of uncertainty. Uncertainty often leads to the fight, flight, or freeze response. The fight response to uncertainty often presents as aggression or addiction; the flight response presents as avoidance or withdrawal; and the freeze response usually presents as procrastination.
In therapy, we examine the distress you are experiencing, explore your values and what means the most to you, and set concrete goals to help you make decisions that align with your authentic self.
#10 Your Coping Mechanisms Are No Longer Effective
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”
~ Lao Tzu
Coping strategies are great until they become habits that prevent us from adapting – or worse, causing us harm. Alcohol, food, and other distractions are just that – distractions from the issue. Healthier coping strategies such as exercising or spending time with friends are great, but they may not always be viable options. Coping is not about having a standard solution to different problems. Rather, coping is about understanding the situation you are faced with and crafting the best way you can deal with it.
Therapy is not about replacing your coping mechanisms or teaching you new ones but rather, it provides you with a space to understand yourself better in the context of the problem which allows you to craft a more tailored response. In other words, in therapy, you are learning how to fish.
In Conclusion, You Should Seek Therapy When You Need It!
Counselling is for anyone and everyone. It’s important to remember that therapy isn’t just for people in crisis—it’s for anyone who wants to improve their mental and emotional well-being. Whether you’re dealing with a specific issue or simply want to feel better, therapy can provide you with the insights, tools, and support to navigate life’s challenges. In a nutshell, your therapeutic experience is tailored to your individual counselling needs.
If any of the above signs resonate with you, consider starting your search to find the right practitioner for you – this involves looking at your specific needs and finding the best fit.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or book a free 15-minute online consultation to get a better sense of our service. We are always happy to support you in any way that we can.
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