Even Happy People Seek Therapy
There’s a common misconception that only people who are miserable or mentally ill seek therapy. However, just like people who aren’t sick might see a doctor to make sure they stay strong and healthy, happy people often see a therapist to help them stay mentally strong and healthy. Therapy can offer several benefits, even when you’re feeling good.
Self-Acceptance
Many people have trouble with loving themselves, even in the absence of depression or another mental health issue. A therapist can help you figure out what’s holding you back and how to make yourself a priority. Being the best person you can be is a great goal to have in therapy.
Improve A Relationship
You and your partner may be getting along just fine, but a therapist can help you improve your communication and find ways to bring back the passion and improve an already great relationship.
True story: Before I became a therapist, I was talking to a trainer at my local gym. When I told him that I was going to school to be a therapist, he told me that he and his wife go to therapy and then out to dinner every month, in addition to other dates they have. I asked him “why do you go to therapy, it seems like you always talk about how great your relationship is”. He replied (with a smirk), “exactly”.
Be a Better Parent
When your kids drive you to the brink of insanity, it can be hard to know how to respond. Therapy can help you find ways manage your children and yourself, so you can be the best parent you can be. It can also simply be a place you vent about your kids so that you can get it all off your chest and go home and relax and enjoy them. Parenting is NOT easy, so getting any bit of support can help you maintain the best relationship possible with your kids.
Meet career goals
If you are unhappy in your career, a therapist can give you insight that can help you decide whether to try to improve your situation or to move on. Either way, a therapist can help you develop a plan to get you where you want to be. Ultimately, a therapist doesn’t give advice. Rather, they listen to what you want, explore with you what your inner conflicts are about the decision, and give you tools to help you figure it out so that you can get to the goal that you want. A friend is great to talk to, especially if you think you already know what you want and you just need a budge or a little validation. A therapist can be helpful if you really don’t know what you want. A therapist doesn’t have a motive as to what they want you to do. A friend might want you to take a certain job because it is more compatible with their schedule and they will see you more. A friend might have heard how much you hate your boss and will jump at the chance to support you getting out of there. A therapist isn’t going to be telling you what they think you should do. A therapist listens to your words and then helps you see different angles/perspectives that you have identified and then help you compare the pros and cons of those angles/perspectives for yourself.
Find your purpose
Everything is going well… On the surface. You have everything you thought you ever wanted, but still feel a sense of dissatisfaction. A therapist can help you reconnect with your passion and figure out who you are on a deeper level.
Forgiveness
Holding onto bitterness can have serious consequences on your physical and mental health. Therapy can help you process through the issues that hold you back so that you can move forward with your life. They can also help you decide whether you want to forgive and stay in the situation or forgive and leave the situation. And remember, forgiving doesn’t have to mean forgetting.
Practice
Therapy can be a safe place to explore and experiment with assertiveness, self-expression, or other behaviors that may seem scary. It’s often embarrassing for people to admit that they have trouble standing up for themselves (even though many people have this issue). The beauty of seeing a therapist is that you can work on your issues and then you never have to see them again if you don’t want to.