Therapy: Everything You Need to Know

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and amidst the current state of world affairs, many are feeling confused, lonely, sad, and lost. We’ve been forced into isolation and as the time progresses and we begin to slowly move toward reintegration, it’s safe to say that there will be confusion and angst in how to move forward.

Some of you have been bouncing the idea around in your head that maybe it’s time to reach out for help. Bridging the gap between thinking about going to therapy and picking up the phone and making the call is one of the bravest acts you can make. It’s a step worth taking when you’re feeling not like yourself and it’ll be worth it in the long run.

In this post, I’ll be sharing some of the frequently asked questions about working with a counselor. I pray you find it helpful if you’ve been on the fence. Also, more and more professionals are offering virtual counseling sessions which makes it more manageable for busy moms like you.

Let’s dive into the three most asked questions:

When do I know that it’s time to go to therapy?

The American Psychological Association (APA) is the leading authority in psychological education, research, and more. They’ve identified the top four signs to look out for when considering therapy:

1. If you feel as though your quality of life has changed
2. You’re preoccupied with something that takes up your mind for at least an hour a day
3. You’re avoiding others
4. If you’ve made big changes in your life to cope

If you’re experiencing one or more of the above, then it’s a good idea to seriously considering reaching out to someone for help.

What if I tried it and it didn’t work?

I read this analogy in a book and never forgot it: going to therapy is like eating a warhead. Can you picture that sour beginning? Then after about a minute or two – you make it down to the sweet center. That’s how counseling feels.

You’re going to have to face some uncomfortable experiences and be honest with yourself. But when you stick with it, you’ll notice a big positive impact on your life. The temporary discomfort will be worth the long-term reward.

And if anyone knows anything about short term pain, it’s a mom. Am I right? I’m referring to childbirth there; not that counseling is anywhere near as painful as that. 

What are the benefits?

There are various benefits to counseling but here are a few to start:

1. You Learn a Lot About Yourself

Therapy gives you the opportunity to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Therapists work with you to make connections in these areas and provide guidance on how to manage what you’re going through

2. Goal Achievement  

Counseling is a great way to learn about setting and achieving goals. A good therapist will have you clearly identify what it is you want to accomplish in therapy and will work with you to create a realistic plan to achieve those goals.

3. General Health Benefits

There are general health benefits to counseling as well. Oftentimes, repressed emotional distress causes physiological symptoms. You can actually make yourself experience more health issues by ignoring mental health needs. Additionally, people with chronic health conditions can benefit greatly from therapy, especially dialectical behavioral therapy. The support and coping skills taught can be a useful tool in pain management.

4. General Life Improvement

You will experience improvement in other areas of life. If you’ve heard about the compound effect, this phenomenon also rings true for counseling. People who focus on improvement in one area of life often find the motivation and self-efficacy needed for working on other areas as well.

To Conclude

As you can see, there are many notable reasons why therapy is useful and effective. These answers will continue to ring true even after the COVID pandemic is long gone. We are all bound to experience hardship and struggle in this life.

It takes bravery and hope to make the call and connect with a professional. Your attempts will prove useful if you stick to your goals and persist even in the face of hardships within the counseling process.

It is my hope that you found this both informative and helpful. We weren’t created to do this life alone, seeking community and support is a great way to heal from the inside out.

Let’s Connect

If you’d like to learn more about mental health topics, please see my list of posts here.

You can also connect with me on Instagram, where I’ve been posting on this topic daily for the month of May.

Find a therapist here:

Psychology Today
BetterHelp.com