3 Benefits of Therapy Even if You're Not in a Mental Health Crisis

Therapy is stereotypically seen as a last resort to those who are already experiencing a mental health crisis. People often decide to go to therapy once their mental health issues begin to affect their daily life and stop going once they start to feel a little better. Yet, therapy is not just a remedial solution for current mental health concerns, as it can also be a preventative tool. There are many different reasons that you may choose to participate in therapy, and each and every reason is a valid one.

Committing to Therapy is Committing to Wellness

            You may be thinking, “I need look like I have it together” or “People will see me as weak if I ask for help”.

Just as you would seek help for and focus on your physical health, why not spend an hour each week focusing on your mental health? The mental health field if full of misconceptions, including the idea that you need to be severely suffering in order to seek out or benefit from mental health help. This is a direct result of plenty of societal stigma still surrounding therapy today. Going to therapy is nothing to be ashamed of and making the decision to seek out therapy is extremely courageous. Life’s circumstances impact people differently, therefore every person’s mental health needs and treatment are unique to them. We all react to and cope with negative emotions differently, so it is important to recognize when you need a little help or someone to talk to.

Not “Bad” Enough

• “It’s not that bad”

• “I’ve felt worse before”

• “Nothing bad has happened to me”

• “I don’t deserve to feel this way”

• “I’m fine for the most part”

Each of these statements enforce the misconception that powering through mental health concerns is better than seeking support. You may feel reluctant to seek out mental health help because you don’t believe your concerns are severe enough to deserve treatment. You may find yourself comparing your suffering to others or believing that you are not deserving of help despite feeling emotional pain. When it comes to therapy though, there is no such thing as being “bad enough”. Anyone can benefit from therapy, no matter what concerns they may or may not be facing.

3 Ways Therapy Can Help Even When You Aren’t in Crisis

1. To better understand yourself

   1. Gain greater self-awareness

   2. Learn to love and accept yourself

   3. Identify and confront negative thoughts

   4. Determine how to make your happiness a priority

2. Work through areas that are more difficult

   1. Therapy provides support to help grow strength and resilience

   2. Create awareness of your behavior patterns

   3. Develop healthy ways to get your needs met

3. Improve your ability to cope and thrive with adversity

   1. Become better equipped to manage future crises or difficulties

   2. Take steps for preventative care

   3. Therapy can help throughout life’s ups and downs

   4. Try beginning therapy before things are falling apart

The therapeutic space was created so that you can focus completely on yourself without distractions. In therapy you are free to explore your hopes, feelings, goals and dreams without retribution or judgement. By choosing to give your attention to your mental health, you can learn to be more comfortable with being vulnerable and open with yourself and others. Therapy can help you to make many improvements in your life, both big and small.