Therapy Anyone?

Anyone out there without stress right now? There are many reasons to not be feeling like our best selves right now. With COVID-19 continuing to effect our daily lives or health concerns, social justice movements picking up speed, and political issues pulling us in every direction; there has been no shortage of stressors to weigh us down over the last few months. All that stress can easily take a long-term toll on our mental health and relationships.

Even though we know these things that are happening are hard on us, it can still feel challenging to admit that we’re struggling and want to see a therapist. We might tell ourselves that other people have it worse than we do, or that everyone is having a hard time right now so our needs aren’t that important. We might worry that people will reject us, judge us for needing help, or that they’ll think we’re incapable.

I get it. I personally have felt all those feelings and thought all those thoughts. I know how hard it is and how vulnerable it feels to reach out and tell someone you need a little extra support.

I’m here to tell you that seeking out help or going to therapy does not make you weak, helpless, or irrational. By choosing to see a therapist, you are choosing to listen to your body and take care of yourself, which is one of the most important things you can do in tough times.

You might be thinking, “What good is therapy actually going to do? Isn’t it basically just venting?” Short answer: Sometimes! We all have things we need to get out of our system every now and again, and who better to hear it than a therapist? Not only do we hold space for you to get out your frustrations, but once we hear what’s going on, we can help you explore what your feelings are, why you’re feeling them, and how to cope with them moving forward.

You might also be thinking, “I’ve been to therapy before and it didn’t help. Why should I try again?” It’s common for it to take a little bit of time before therapy feels like it’s helping. It’s also totally normal to have to try out a couple therapists before you find someone who is really a good fit for you and helps you make progress. Think about it this way: If you went to a new hairstylist and they gave you a bad haircut, you probably wouldn’t stop getting haircuts for the rest of your life––you would just try a different hairstylist! And, just like haircuts, therapy is a normal part of taking care of your wellbeing.

And now you might be thinking, “Yeah, maybe I should give therapy a try!” If that’s the case, we would love to work with you at EVOLVEwithin. Just give us a call at (262) 649-3297. If you’re not totally sure just yet, that’s okay too. We’ll be here for you whenever you’re ready!

​Article contribution by Tabitha Schroeder, MS, MFT-IT