What Are The Benefits of Therapy
Mental health and wellness has most recently become a “trending” topic in our culture. What used to be completely taboo or stigmatized, is now becoming something to share openly in the hopes of helping others and in effort to share transparently about what you are really going through behind closed doors. People are talking publicly more than ever about seeking help for your mental health and the importance of therapy. So much so, that at this point it is likely that one or even several of the people in your circle are seeking the help of a therapist either openly or not. This change in trend and the shift in the conversation is extremely positive, as it brings more and more people to the help of therapist and counselors who can help them to become better and happier people, functioning in a more healthy way in life.
The process of seeking out therapy services, however, can still be intimidating and unknown. If you’ve heard about therapy, are intrigued to know more about it or would like to know more about what therapy can bring to YOUR life, this is for you. Keep reading to learn more about therapy and how it can be beneficial to you.
What is therapy?
Psychotherapy, most commonly known as talk therapy, is when an individual, family system or couple meet with either a therapist, licensed clinical social worker or other mental health professional to seek support in their lives and relationships. These people could be seeking the support of a therapist for a significant life event, complex relational dynamic or any individual challenges that their life has presented. In therapy, you are able process experiences and situations with a safe, confidential and neutral support person who is there to help you. In addition to processing your thoughts and feelings, your therapist can also offer you tools to navigate them in the healthiest way possible. Therapists use several different therapeutic modalities that are specifically effective in helping with your set of needs. Each therapist has different specialties, but your therapist will be trained and experienced in several models and be able to collaborate with you to choose the treatment path that is best for you.
Reasons to begin therapy
If you haven’t done therapy of any kind before, it can be difficult to know when would be the “right time”. The answer is that there is no right time. Therapy is there as an option to support you no matter what is happening, where in your life you are or what has or has not happened to get you there. There is no requirement or even specific reason to begin therapy, you can begin whenever feels best to you and for any reason that feels necessary to you.
There are several reasons that bring people to therapy, from communication breakdowns to a death of a loved one and everything in between.
Some of the most common reasons to begin therapy include:
Grief and loss
Chronic illnesses
Bipolar and other mood disorders
Eating disorders and self-esteem issues
Therapy can be extremely beneficial in so many of life’s circumstances. If you are suffering from any of the above conditions a great next step would be to reach out to a mental health professional to begin the process of therapy. At Insight Northwest Counseling, we have an incredible team of therapists who are available to you for in-person therapy or via tele-health. They have different specialties and can offer support for many different circumstances and conditions. Reach out to us today for more information.
Types of Therapy
When it comes to therapy, there are many different models and practices used. Therapy is not a “one size fits all” process, thus why therapists are experienced and trained in many areas. What works well for one person and their set of needs, will not necessarily make an impact on another’s. This is why it’s important to seek the support of a professional who can help guide you in the direction that is most effective for your healing.
As someone who is not licensed to practice therapy, the models of therapy can be foreign and often unknown. While it’s not your “job” to understand each type of psychotherapy, it can be helpful to become familiar with the different types that are being practiced by therapists.
Some of the most common types of therapy used by mental health professionals include:
The practices listed above are just a few of the many types that are used in therapy today. If you want to learn more about these types of therapy in depth, we have more information available here.
Benefits of Therapy
There are the obvious or more talked about benefits of therapy, such as learning to talk openly about your feelings and having an ear to listen – but the list of benefits truly goes so far beyond that. Therapy can change the way you live your every day life and improve your overall health, both inside and out.
Stronger coping skills
Life is inherently challenging. Of course there are sweet and beautiful parts and there can be abundant joy; but it also comes with difficulties. While the challenges are inevitable, the way we function in the face of the those challenges is what makes the most difference. It’s unlikely that you are just born with healthy and strong coping mechanisms. Your parents may do an exceptional job at offering you those tools, but most of us are still lacking. And that is not a fault of our own or something we are necessarily doing wrong. In therapy, your mental health professional will be able to help you discover and build better coping skills. Think of your capacity for skills as a toolbox and the coping skills as the tools – your therapist will offer you more tools to put in that toolbox so that when life throws you those unavoidable curve balls, you are better equipped to handle them.
Process past experiences or traumas
The things we experience throughout our life shape who we eventually become. Unless you have been in therapy throughout the duration of your entire life, with the support of a professional helping you to process and navigate those experiences in a healthy way – there’s a good chance that you are carrying a good amount of those traumas with you through your daily life. Traumas from your childhood, the way you were raised in general, losses or grief you’ve gone through at any point, emotional, mental or physical abuse; whatever it may be, it needs room to breathe. Therapy is the best place to give it just that. Through different therapy practices, your therapist will help you to “unpack” the experiences that have happened in your life up to this point. Processing your past can free you of so much weight that you’ve been carrying and help you to be healthier and happier in your life to come.
Often past trauma and the adversities we have face from our past can result in damaged relationships, mental illnesses, addiction and also repeating toxic cycles with our children/spouses. If we choose to never face those experiences in a safe and healthy way, it can impose on our ability to thrive in life.
Build better self-esteem and self-worth
Many more people struggle with self-esteem issues than we realize. Whether it’s physical insecurities or otherwise, so many individuals walk through life without a strong self-esteem or sense of self. If you struggle with your self-esteem it can be a result of many things. Your therapist can help you to discover your deepest and truest self, by lifting the layers that are getting in the way. Whether it be from past trauma, a loss of self in a relationship or a fracture to your body image, your therapist equipped to help you process those experiences in order to find your true self. When you uncover your core self, get to know that person and heal any injuries that may have occurred throughout your life and eliminate insecurities, you can arrive to a place of confidence and a strong sense of self.
Better ability to moderate feelings and emotions
When imagining moments where your patience is tested or you feel triggered by a person or situation, think about how you typically handle them. Do you lose your patience, yell, turn inward or remain calm? None of these answers are wrong and you are not broken based on how you react. However, there is a significant difference between reacting to a trigger and responding to one. When we react to something that happens, we are typically doing whatever comes naturally to us without putting thought or intention into what happens next. Therapy can help you to identify the flaws in how you are reacting to uncomfortable or triggering situations, address them and offer tools to help you respond differently. When we respond to a trigger, we are typically using foresight and the tools from our toolbox to cope with the uncomfortable feelings at hand without making the situation worse. Instead of anger, fight or flight, impulsivity or other reactions, you could eventually respond to triggers in a calm and productive way that promotes resolution and peace.
Healthier and more effective communication
One of the trademark benefits of therapy and what gets the best reputation as a result, is improving communication. So much of our relational issues in life come as a result of poor communication. If you come from a childhood where healthy communication and conflict resolution was not demonstrated, you are already fighting a losing battle in relationships later in life. We often mimic the way we were talked to as children, which can be both a blessing and curse depending on the family you were raised in. The important thing in communication patterns and family cycles, is your effort to break them and rewrite the narrative. Therapy offers a place to do that work and see the results. Not only can a therapist sit with you and your partner/spouse or family system and guide you all to more effectively communicate, they can also work with you individually to do the same outside of your relationships.
Some of the things they will focus on in therapy for bettering communication include:
Learning to listen and calmly receive other’s words
Speaking your feelings in a way that can be well received
Approaching conversations with a common goal of resolution
Learning how to fight fairly
Gaining language tools, like “I feel” statements
Effective communication is an ongoing process and something that takes time and effort to learn. Especially because most commonly, there is a lot of unlearning old habits and tendencies to do. Everything in therapy requires active effort and “work”. If you and/or your partners and family are ready and willing to put in that effort, the benefits can be limitless.
Managing symptoms of mental health conditions
Often people seeking therapy have either received a mental health diagnosis, or suspect that they are suffering from mental illness of some sort. Depending on your condition and the degree that you are experiencing the symptoms, the course of treatment goes beyond psychotherapy. In certain cases, the support of a psychiatric provider is necessary for things like psychiatric medication management. In other cases, psychotherapy can be a perfectly sufficient form of treatment. It’s important to seek the help of a professional to know what treatment plan will be the most impactful for your specific circumstance. Regardless of the treatment plan, talk therapy is almost always a good option to aide in managing your condition. Whether it is in addition to other treatment, or the only treatment method, talk therapy can be extremely useful in the management of mental illness symptoms.
Therapy practices are specifically designed to help navigate certain mental health conditions, such as mood disorders, depression and anxiety, personality disorders and other common illnesses. Your therapist will guide you through the process of managing your thoughts, emotions, actions and symptoms in a way that makes your life experience healthier and more functional.
The benefits of therapy are extensive and reach far beyond just the ones we dove into. If you are interested in beginning the process of therapy or want to learn more about how therapy can help you in your life, reach out to us and talk with our client care team. They are happy to answer any of your questions and arrange your first appointment with one of our incredible providers.
Finding A Heath Professional
At Insight Northwest Counseling we understand that every individual, couple or family’s story and experience is unique. We view therapy as a process that needs to be collaborative and specific to you and your needs. It is not a “one size fits all” journey, and we lead with that in our approach. We are here and eager to help you in any way we can. Reach out for more information!