You might think that if you go to talk therapy that something must be seriously wrong with you. However, nothing can be further from the truth. The main reason people come to therapy is because they are struggling in some way, shape, or form. Life is hard and it throws us curveballs. As a result this can lead to anxiety or depression. Very few of the people that walk through my door are struggling with serious mental illness.
Why people come to talk therapy
Reduce stress, anxiety or depression
A major life stressor is something that leads many people to talk therapy. Let’s acknowledge that we don’t always have the tools we need to navigate what has happens in our lives. There are all sorts of tools I can teach you do deal with stress, anxiety and depression.
The way we think can impact the way we feel. Sometimes it helps to have someone challenge our faulty thinking patterns. In addition, it is beneficial to have someone to talk to who is not emotionally involved in our situation to help us see things clearer.
Better self-understanding with talk therapy
Sometimes we find ourselves repeating patterns in life that are not helpful. Learning the root cause of these patterns can help explain things. Then we can work on healthier ways of interacting. It can help us better manage our emotions. In addition, our self-esteem can also be improved upon through positive-reinforcement and learning effective tools.
Improve relationships
I think this is something we can all use. Relationships are hard whether it is a friendship, romantic partner or work colleague.
The main reason people come in to couples counseling is due to lack of communication, or someone has had an affair. I teach clients a template on how to resolve conflict and communicate in a way where you both can feel heard, understood, and respected. This conflict resolution model can also be used with friends and co-workers.
Dealing with life-transitions
We go through many transitions in our lives, which can be difficult, even if they are happy things. You might be surprised how many we may go through: going to middle school, high school, college or trade school, moving, first job, getting married or moving in with a partner, having children, perhaps a divorce or job change, losing a loved one, retirement, becoming a grand parent. There are probably even more, but those are just a few that popped into my head.
Having someone to talk to and process these changes can help you get through them more smoothly.
Personal growth with talk therapy
Some people want help setting goals, and a plan to achieve them. You might feel you have more to offer to others or to the job, and just don’t know what that is. Having a safe non-judgmental place to process these ideas is helpful.
You might need help making sure your goals are realistic and not too lofty. We want to set you up for success, not failure. In addition, therapy can help you become more resilient, and better able to deal with any setbacks you might have.
Behavior change
Are you engaging in some bad habits? Recognizing this is the first step to change. Therapy can help you break these habits and find better ways of coping. In addition, you might need help finding a healthier lifestyle. This might be diet, exercise, or sleep.
Remember, you didn’t get to where you are overnight, so we won’t be able to change things overnight. Engaging in regular small steps over time can make a big difference.
Better problem solving skills
At times we all react emotionally versus logically. Learning what sets us off emotionally is the first step. Once we have learned these triggers we can explore the reasoning behind them. In addition we can help you analyze your problems in a way that provides structure. By doing so, you can learn how to think more critically and respond in a more effective way.
We can also work on decision-making skills. People often look at the pros and cons of something. It can also be helpful to look at the pros and cons of doing something, as well as the pros and cons of not doing something. This can give you a deeper understanding. Having someone to process all this can be helpful. In addition, saying things out loud with another person listening can help you to figure out the best path forward.
Safe and nonjudgmental environment
A therapeutic relationship is very different than your relationship with friends and family. Your therapist will listen to what you have to say in a nonjudgmental and safe atmosphere. You don’t need to worry about upsetting someone or having someone respond emotionally.
In addition, everything you say in therapy is confidential. Thus you don’t have to worry about saying something you don’t want your partner, friend or family member to hear. Some things are hard to talk about.
Help specific issues with talk therapy
Perhaps you are struggling with substance use or an eating disorder. You may want help, or are not sure if you need it. Perhaps you want to get clean or sober, but are afraid and don’t know how. Your therapist can help you come up with a plan that is tailored for you.
If you have an eating disorder, it can be challenging to treat. Thus getting help is critical. Many people struggle with these issues for years before getting help.
Improved well being
Most people feel much better with talk therapy. They tend to have better mental health, improved self-esteem and self-confidence. It can take courage to get help. We all struggle. You are not alone. Thus seeking therapy and finding a way to improve ourselves is one of the greatest gifts we can receive.
If I can help you with any of your struggles, please give me a call at 713-304-6554 and we will come up with a game plan to improve your overall functioning.
Take care,
Debbie Grammas
