Contrary to a common misconception, seeking therapy doesn’t require being in crisis. Therapy serves as a powerful preventive tool, fostering self-awareness and developing coping strategies for the future. It’s essential to challenge misconceptions about mental health care, such as the belief that only those in crisis or experiencing severe symptoms need therapy.
Individuals may harbour misconceptions, such as reluctance to use medication or feeling undeserving of help. Seeking therapy is not about being broken. It’s about gaining self-awareness, developing coping mechanisms, and receiving support to build strength and resilience.
Success in certain areas of life can create a disconnect, leading to doubts about needing support. The normalisation of using substances to cope with stress, or ignoring serious physical pain in the quest for productivity, may hinder recognising the need for assistance.
Comparisons with others and the belief that one’s suffering is insignificant may contribute to significant deterioration in your mental health. Understanding that individual experiences and treatment needs are unique to each individual is an essential step towards seeking help. Life’s complexities and the unique impact of situations on different people highlight the validity of diverse emotional responses.
Increasing awareness of one’s mental health struggles and learning about the available options are the first step in helping yourself or others.
If it is still difficult to decide whether therapy is needed, schedule a free 15-minute phone appointment to discuss your thoughts and/or concerns.