What is Therapy?

Deciding to go to therapy for the first time can feel really intimidating (I know, I’ve been there, too!). How does it work? What do I talk about? How can it help? What if it doesn’t help? These are the questions that may be going through your mind when considering therapy. In this post, I’ll answer some of the most common questions my clients have when starting therapy.

What is therapy and how does it work?

Therapy is a process in which you explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with a qualified professional who can help you to gain a better understanding of yourself and learn ways to relate differently to what you think and how you feel. Some benefits include:

• Emotional expression and release

• Gaining a better understanding of yourself and your emotions

• Learning ways to cope more effectively with life stressors

• Healing from past trauma

• Improving your relationships

How is therapy different from talking to a friend or loved one?

While there are similarities, there are also some major differences between talking with a friend versus talking with a therapist.

• Training: Therapists have years of education and specialized training to understand mental health concerns and how to help facilitate meaningful, long-term change in individuals. Friends may provide support and advice as a means to problem-solve a certain situation, but aren’t able to identify, address, and change underlying core issues.

• Confidentiality: Therapists are bound by their code of ethics to maintain client confidentiality. Even with the best intentions, this is something that can’t be guaranteed when talking with a friend or family member.

• Objectivity: Friends have a personal stake in your life which impacts their interactions with you, whether it’s conscious or not. Therapists are removed from your life and are able to remain objective.

• Undivided attention: In relationships with friends, there is typically a give and take in the dynamic. The focus isn’t on you solely all the time. In the therapy session, the focus is 100% on you and your needs.

Who is therapy for?

Although it is changing, there is still a lot of stigma around mental health. Many people believe that therapy is only for those who are “crazy” or have severe mental illness, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Most people I treat are feeling stuck in an area of their life because they are approaching things how they have in the past, but those ways may no longer be working for them, and they are unsure what to do differently. The most common concerns I see in therapy are:

• Stress management

• Difficulty handling intense emotions (i.e. anxiety, depressed mood, anger, etc.)

• Navigating life transitions (change in job, birth/death, injury or illness)

• Relationship concerns (communication, boundaries, etc.)

• Healing from emotional, physical, or sexual trauma

These are things we all experience at one point or another, and so therapy really is for everyone, and I sincerely believe that everyone could benefit from it.