People often think the reason for going to therapy must be a major life change, such as a recent onset of depression or the loss of a loved one. In reality, therapy is for everyone! Therapy can benefit your self-esteem, give you a confidential place to share your thoughts, and aid in problem-solving. Whether you are looking to grow dramatically or simply feel better than you did at the time of making an appointment, therapy is intended for everyone. Regardless of your life circumstance, counseling is a safe place to explore unhealthy behavior and thought patterns and seek a way to effectively improve those aspects of yourself that you are unhappy with. How exactly is therapy so beneficial? Let’s look at several things therapy can help you with.
Attending therapy has been shown to decrease your risk for harmful behavior patterns and mental illness (Leaviss & Uttley, 2014). Counseling increases communication and problem-solving skills, which aids in improving relationships. In addition to individual therapy, Greenway offers couples counseling to improve relationships. Therapy has been shown to helps people feel better, happier, and more mentally stable. Research has shown that “Happy people are healthier, more successful, and more socially engaged” (Seligman et al., 2005, p. 14). Research has also supported the fact that intervention “made people happier and less depressed” within 6 months (Seligman et al., 2005, p. 419). Therapy benefits the client by decreasing depression, substance abuse, and anxiety symptoms, leading to an overall improvement on your quality of life. Counseling even reduces thoughts of suicide, something that can occur when experiencing high stress, depression, and low emotional regulation.
Being able to learn new coping skills, the ability to have a tolerable level of emotional management and expression is also beneficial. Therapy can be educational, after all us therapists went to school for a long time to ensure we know how to best help people! Through psychoeducation, therapists aid clients in understanding how your unhealthy and healthy behaviors contribute to your mental health. The skills you learn in counseling can be targeted to your weaknesses, something you may not want to admit to even yourself. Counseling is all about you, the client! This means the exploration of your life, thoughts, goals, and behaviors in a supportive environment can lead to realizations such as finding a life purpose. Attending therapy can reduce fear and restore your motivation to better yourself, increasing confidence. Attending therapy is beneficial for growth and happiness. Why wouldn’t you want to be happier? Scheduling a therapy session with Greenway Therapy can improve many areas in your life and could make a significant change for the better.
Works Cited
Leaviss, J., & Uttley, L. (2014). Psychotherapeutic benefits of compassion-focused therapy: An early systematic review. Psychological Medicine, 45(5), 927–945. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291714002141
Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.60.5.410
Elaina Taylor is a PLPC at Greenway Therapy. Learn more about her on her BIO page.