The Benefits of Therapy
I used to hate therapy. If you read my first story for the My Mind To Yours column in September, you know that I used to be as closed off as they come. Therapy, for me, was a catalyst for nothing but stress and fear.
Now, I reject my previous perspective that therapists are there to judge you and see you as crazy or “messed up.” Rather, I’ve done a complete one-eighty – I believe everyone would benefit from therapy.
It’s important to recognize that you don’t have to be in crisis, or even struggling at all, to reap the benefits of seeing a therapist regularly. Some of my strongest memories of therapy include those in which I was just catching up with my therapist. I don’t see these as wasted sessions at all, but instead I see them as opportunities to cultivate a rich and deep relationship with my therapist.
This is daunting to most people, who don’t exactly relish the idea of airing their grievances with someone who, at least at the start, is a complete stranger. This is completely fair and valid; it took me years to lean into therapy, and I only did when I didn’t really have a choice.
But it’s better to start from “I want to get to know myself better” than “I don’t have a choice.”
Having Someone to Talk To
It’s simple, but the benefit of talking to someone about your struggles is severely underestimated. It’s easy to let small things slide and keep them inside without telling anyone. It may be more convenient in the short term. But even keeping small grievances hidden can cause stress. And the bigger these things get, the more they can negatively affect your mental well-being.
Sharing your experiences, feelings, and struggles on a regular basis can help the negative parts fade away, making way for better things.
A Guiding Hand
Therapists, contrary to my earlier beliefs, aren’t trained to judge you. They’re educated to discuss difficult topics with you and work with you to achieve the goals you set – often together – for well-being. Making this shift in thinking was monumental for me.
It’s also helpful to recognize that therapists and psychiatrists are licensed professionals who know what they’re talking about. Their education and experience prepares them to discuss the topics that vex you, topics that they were taught to understand. You’re allowed to ask any question, share any internal woe or concern. This is an invaluable resource of which many, if not all, people should utilize.
Normalizing therapy goes hand-in-hand with this. As I said earlier, you don’t have to be in peril to talk to a therapist. Have regular conversations about how you’re feeling, whether it’s good or bad.
Breaking Down your Internal Stigma
Going to a therapist once a week, once a month, and so on, in itself, is powerful. Getting into the habit of talking about it will help you to get comfortable talking about mental health freely. Maybe your usual conversations about mental health happen on the proverbial couch, in a room with multiple diplomas on the wall, behind a closed door. But it doesn’t have to stay that way – and it shouldn’t.
For me, the act of being willingly therapized made me realize I could discuss mental health, period. So I got used to opening up to others, too. It didn’t happen immediately, but it did happen. Therapy was the catalyst of that forward motion toward sneaking past, and soon forgetting, my stigma.
Improving Relationships
The more you feel comfortable discussing your mental health openly, the less isolation you’ll feel when you are struggling. When a hard time does come – which they inevitably do – you may not feel as closed off. You’ll be more willing to lean on others, and your relationships with those closest to you will strengthen because of it.
You may even be able to encourage them to open up, too.
Other Options
I will probably always believe that everyone could benefit from therapy, and everyone should try it at least once. But there are other options if you’re not yet comfortable with sharing your innermost thoughts and feelings with a stranger.
You can confide in someone close to you, like a parent, sibling, or close friend. Benefits are still abundant in opening up to those around you – many of the same that arise from therapy.
Maybe you’re closer to the beginning of your journey. Journaling is an alternative to talking about your feelings with other people; it can still allow you to open up, but in a more private space. Journaling regularly can help you to understand yourself better, and may encourage you to open up to others eventually.
These are great alternatives to therapy, if you don’t feel ready yet. But what I see as the bottom line is that opening up, eventually and as gradually as you want, is the best way to work through your struggles, beat your stigma, and improve your mental health.
