Happy National Psychotherapy Day!
We have this holiday, to promote awareness of therapy or counseling. What is psychotherapy? Psychotherapy is using counseling or talk therapy, to help someone work through their mental health diagnosis or difficulties. If you haven’t already looked here, check out our Frequently Asked Questions or Common Myths about counseling pages. Hopefully those pages help, dispel the perceptions and myths of our culture.
How do you spend your time or money, to help you decrease your anxieties or make yourself feel better when you’re feeling down? Are these things good for you? Sometimes the massage, or exercise club membership may be a good investment. Unfortunately though, many of the things people choose lead to unhealthy coping skills, unhealthy relationships and do not solve the problems long term. They are a short term fix to bigger problem. Therapy is not a “quick fix”, however it is a crucial experience that many find invaluable. Why should someone devote their time, energy and invest money in therapy? Counseling is a long term investment into our general well-being, our happiness. Some benefits are:
- Increase self acceptance, self confidence, and self-actualization.
- Reducing symptoms feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
- Develop healthy coping skills for day to day stressors instead of destructive thoughts & behaviors
- Mend unhealthy relationships, build healthy relationships.
- Build a healthy support system, and healthy/developmentally appropriate social skills
- Heal or find resolution from past experiences. (Example: Childhood abuse, bad relationships)
- Unconditional support from an objective person
- Develop an ability to be mindful, and have an inner sense of peacefulness.
- Develop skills for parts of life that one is struggling in. (Example: Career, Parenting, etc)
There are many counselors out there, with different personalities, different styles and different credentials. If you have tried therapy in the past and it has not helped or you didn’t feel as though you connected with your therapist, try again! It’s OK to ask the therapist, what credentials or education they have that qualifies them to work with what you are struggling with. You may have to try a few therapists before you find someone who’s a good fit for you and what is bringing you to counseling.
For those of you who have been in my office, thank you for sharing your journey with me. I appreciate you giving me the honor to walk with you when you needed it the most.
Have a fantastic day!
Blessings,
-Jennie
