Considering Going to a Therapist? Keep This in Mind

Going to therapy for the first time is not easy. It's essential to remember that this kind of help is not only for mental health crises. Patients seek counseling for many reasons. Dr. Sonya is a licensed clinical psychologist with over ten years of experience. During a talk for BetterHelp, a company that provides different mental health services, the expert pointed out some aspects to consider before going to therapy.

Your world doesn't need to be falling apart for seeking the help of somebody. One of the most common misconceptions people have about therapy is that you need to have a severe problem to seek help. However, Dr. Sonya points out that licensed counselors can help you with various things that happen in life.

Sometimes, some of the things we perceive as positive are still stressful. For example, getting married for many people is one of the happiest things that happen to them. Nevertheless, preparing for a marriage can be stressful, so seeking help for things like that can be as crucial as seeking help for typical mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

It's essential not to wait until the last possible moment to seek help for the things we're struggling with. Emotional wellness is one of the aspects we should take more care about. Going to your primary care doctor every year and getting a physical and a check-up to ensure everything is okay is as essential as going to a mental health professional.

Also read: 4 SELF-SABOTAGING BEHAVIORS YOU MUST AVOID

Dr. Sonya emphasizes that people should be proactive and deal with problems before getting to a crisis point. Checking in with a licensed professional to ensure that everything is on the right track can't be postponed. On the other hand, going to therapy can maximize your potential by helping you to evaluate your strengths.

Online counseling is a great place to start exploring this idea of mental wellness and seeking help for the more minor life issues. Online therapy is pretty convenient, accessible, and affordable. By meeting online with your therapist, you will be able to dip your toe into the world of counseling and see if it's something that might be beneficial to you.

If you are unsure if therapy is right for you, here are some questions to ask yourself:

-Is there a problem that you can't get out of your mind to the point that you cannot do everyday activities like working, getting out of bed, cooking, or studying?

-Is there something that you are embarrassed about to the point where you experience feelings of distress, and you cannot talk about it with anyone?

-In the last couple of weeks, has your mood been noticeably low? Are you isolating from everyone because you don't see a point in being around people? Are you avoiding emails, calls, and text messages because you don't want to talk to anyone?

-Are you addicted to a behavior, substance, or compulsion? Does this addiction significantly impact your life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should seek help and allow yourself to recover hand in hand with a professional.