The Benefits of Psychotherapy: A Light-hearted Look at a Serious Topic
I'm a therapist, and I've seen first hand the power of psychotherapy to help people heal and grow. But I didn't always believe in the power of therapy. In fact, I was pretty sceptical about it until I started seeing a therapist myself.
I was going through a really tough time in my life. I was feeling lost, confused, and deeply unhappy. I didn't know who I was or what I wanted out of life. I was also struggling with low mood a lot of the time.
I started seeing a therapist because I was desperate for help. I didn't know what else to do. And I'm so glad I did. It took a few tries to find the right one, but when I did… what a relief!
My therapist was an Integrative therapist, and he helped me in so many ways. He helped me to understand myself better and how my patterns of relating got me to where I was. He helped me to process my emotions, be able to set and maintain boundaries. He helped me to develop my self-awareness and understand where my unhappiness came from. And he helped me to find my true authentic self.
I saw my therapist for over four years, and now I'm more me than I’ve ever been. I'm happier, more confident, and more fulfilled. I know who I am and what I want out of life. Don’t get me wrong my life isn’t perfect, but whose is? There are still conversations I want to have and relationships I’d like to improve, but they still feel a little difficult to me right now, I’m working on that!
I know that therapy can be a scary prospect for some people. It can be daunting to open up to someone you don't know, and it can be hard to talk about your problems. But I promise you, it's worth it.
Therapy is not about fixing you, because that would suggest you’re broken. It's about helping you to become the best version of yourself. It's about helping you to heal and grow. And it's about helping you to find your true authentic self.
So if you're feeling lost, confused, or unhappy, I encourage you to reach out for help. Therapy can be a life-changing experience, and it can help you to find your true authentic self.
Here are some of the specific benefits of psychotherapy that I experienced:
Increased self-awareness: I learned to understand my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors better. I became more aware of my strengths and weaknesses, and I learned how to use my strengths to my advantage.
Improved self-esteem: I learned to accept myself for who I am, flaws and all. I stopped comparing myself to others and started focusing on my own journey.
Greater emotional resilience: I learned how to cope with difficult emotions in a healthy way. I learned how to express my emotions in a constructive way, and I learned how to manage stress more effectively.
Deeper relationships: I learned how to build more fulfilling relationships with my friends, family, and partner. I learned how to communicate more effectively, and I learned how to be more supportive and understanding of others.
Here are some tips for finding a good therapist:
Ask your friends, family, or doctor for recommendations.
Look for a therapist who is a member of a professional organisation, such as Counselling Directory, or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Interview several therapists before making a decision. This is important, make sure you find someone you connect with.
Make sure you feel comfortable with the therapist and that you have a good rapport.
Therapy is a journey, and it's not always easy. But it's worth it. If you're willing to put in the work, therapy can help you to heal and grow in ways that you never thought possible.
Here are some things I learned in therapy:
That I'm not alone in my struggles.
That it's okay to make mistakes.
That I'm worthy of love and happiness.
That I can be my own best friend.
That I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Therapy is a life-changing experience, and it's something I would recommend to anyone who is feeling lost, confused, or unhappy. Mental health is not the same as mental illness, I like to think of looking after your mental health like we look after our bodies by going for walks, doing yoga or hitting the gym. You don’t have to have a mental illness to see a therapist.
So if you're thinking about giving therapy a try, I say go for it! You won't regret it.
But be warned, you might just find your true authentic self along the way. And that can be a pretty scary thing.
But it's also pretty awesome.
