Why do people go to therapy?

People go to therapy for a variety of reasons.   There is a range of reasons for people to come in for therapy, however the thing that I see across all client is a desire to become their best self.  It inspires me every single day when new clients call me because they are courageous enough to realize that they aren’t perfect (that none of us are perfect) and they want to live their best life.

Here are some of the reasons people come to therapy:

Mental Disorders

– People dealing with depression, phobias, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, addiction, as well as other issues will often turn to therapy to learn about the best possible ways to cope with their issues. It is not uncommon for therapy and medication to be combined, however it is very rare that I am adamant on a client taking medication.

Distress

– In order for a therapist to properly see how severe a problem is, they will try to get a gauge on the level of distress it causes the person. For example, leaving for college can be debilitating to one person and exhilarating to another. If the stress level gets in the way of living your everyday life, therapy may help.

Support/Coping

– Many people turn to therapy to help them cope with a loss or a major change in their life. There are a number of things that fall under this umbrella, such as death, divorce, abuse, leaving a loved job, graduating high school or college, and more. A therapist can arm these clients with the coping skills that will help them get their life back on track.

Communication

– There can be all sorts of problems that take root in a relationship, but it is often poor communication that is at the heart of the issue. People who find it hard to talk to others about their issues may learn how to do so after a few sessions with a therapist.

Self-Exploration

– It can be hard to move forward in life when you don’t have a good sense of self. If you feel that there are certain aspects of your life that seem out of your control, digging a little deeper into yourself may help you discover what is causing you to have problems in those areas.

This is really just scratching the surface as to why people seek out help from a therapist.  A study put together by American Psychological Association stated: “Research demonstrates that psychotherapy is effective for a variety of mental and behavioral health issues and across a spectrum of population groups. The average effects of psychotherapy are larger than the effects produced by many medical treatments.”    I have seen similar results in that some people who come in for therapy can completely heal, whereas others acquire enough healing necessary to be happier and more successful in their lives without their issues getting in their way of their daily success.

If you live in California and are looking for a therapist, please give us a call at Long Beach Therapy: 562-310-9741.