Should you go to therapy if you feel fine?
If you’re in a good place, talking to a therapist can be a great way to build a connection, express yourself, and share your thoughts and feelings as well as have a foundation built with a trusted therapist before you are engulfed in challenging seasons. We know that challenges will hit us all at some point in our life, so it is wise to know where you would go, who you would talk to, and how you want to approach these life challenges. Talking to someone can also be a great way to gain insight and perspective on your current situation, even if you are in a great place.
A common misconception people have is doubting if their problems are “significant enough” to go see a therapist. There can be a weird belief that only people with intense trauma or mental health issues qualify for therapy. However, whatever you’re walking through, if it seems challenging, or you’re struggling, or you simply just feel alone, your wellbeing is worthy of being seen, heard, and cared for, even when you feel depressed.
The reality is that there are no qualifying criteria to sign up for therapy and you can even go if you’re in a great season of life. Though some disorders ought to encourage some individuals to seek healing quickly, therapy is for anyone and there is no perfect time to start and no personal hardship too small that would disqualify you from therapy. Even the smartest, most self-aware, healthy and organized people can reap major benefits from partaking in therapy on a regular basis and is encouraged for all people of all ages.
Some of the less common mental health roadblocks you can look out for are:
- Loss of enjoyment in activities you used to love
- Chronic, unexplained physical symptoms, like headaches or body pain
- Sleep problems, such as insomnia
- Stress
- Decreased sex drive
- Lower energy levels
- Mood swings
- Decrease in a desire to socialize with people you enjoy (withdrawing from others)
- Substance use issues
These are a few of the situations that on the surface may seem less important, but when you choose to work through these you can have a fuller and more enjoyable life. Therapy also can help you have a safe place to grow as a person but improving relationships, relieving social anxiety, helping you relieve stress, and changing unhealthy habits and behaviors. Therefore, if you’re feeling stuck in a funk, have some behavior patterns you wish to improve or change, or simply want to stay on a healthy track, you can benefit from therapy.
Therapy is a tool we can all benefit from no matter what season of life. Seeing a therapist can help us gain insight, understand ourselves better, and instill healthier habits while in a good season of life, but we can also process our emotions, tramas, and mental health issues too during our difficult times. Through therapy we are able to gain a greater understanding of yourself and your relationships.
A good therapist will provide a safe space for you to open up about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences as well as share all the good progress you’re making, hopes and dreams, or positive moments that have taken place. As you share your stories, your therapist can help you to identify patterns and gain insight into why you may think, feel, and act to help you better understand yourself. This understanding can be invaluable for improving your relationships and quality of life.
Therapy is also a great way to process emotions, again the good and bad ones. We all experience a variety of emotions throughout life, and it can be helpful to talk through these feelings with someone who is unbiased and nonjudgmental as well as someone who can provide strategic strategies to help you better understand those feelings. The tools provided and the support from your therapist is so helpful when you are processing and making sense of various experiences.
Lastly, seeing a therapist during a good season of life can be a great opportunity to develop skills for navigating difficult times before they come. Your therapist can help you to identify and practice healthy coping strategies and to build resilience to deal with future stress now so that when the hard times come you have a plan on who you would talk to and what you could do to help. Therapists can also help couples build stronger bonds and relationships.Therapy can also help you to recognize your personal strengths and to gain the confidence necessary to make positive choices in your life, which could push you into a new season of joy, hope, and freedom.
Overall, therapy can be a wonderful tool for personal growth and development, even during a good season of life to help you thrive in various circumstances. Whether you are seeking to gain insight into yourself and your relationships, to process emotions, or to develop skills for navigating difficult times, therapy is such a wonderful resource to try out.
