Top reasons regular people look for a therapist to talk to.

There are many reasons why people seek therapy, and most of those people are very healthy people who want a safe place to heal and/or increase happiness.   Getting therapy is a sign of strength and courage. A client once showed me a card that says “I go to therapy to work on issues caused by people who need to go to therapy”.

Here are some common reasons why people choose to go to therapy:

Managing mental health issues:

People often struggle with issues, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Therapy can provide a safe space for people to talk about feelings, heal from past hurts and learn coping strategies until the healing strategies take effect.

Improving relationships:

Most people don’t have effective ways of resolving conflicts, communicating effectively, building trust, recovering from an affair, or learning how to set boundaries.  Therapy is a non-judgmental place where a therapist can teach you skills to better your relationship with your spouse, your co-workers and/or friends.   Skills learned in therapy can be taken to any conversation and/or relationship.

Coping with difficult life events:

Therapists provide a safe place to heal from difficult life events such as the loss of a loved one, a breakup, or a job loss. A therapist can provide a safe place to process the event and help you with lifestyle choices moving forward.

Personal growth and self-improvement:

Therapy can be a useful tool for people who just want to be better people.  No matter how good you are or you think your life is, there is always room for growth. It can help individuals gain a better understanding of themselves and their motivations for doing the things they do (or making the choices they make), and provide the tools and support needed to set and achieve their goals, without judgment.

Dealing with stress and burnout:

Feeling overwhelmed in dealing with  the demands of modern life are common reasons people come to therapy.  Therapy can be a helpful way to manage and reduce stress, and prevent burnout at your job, in your relationship and in life in general.

If you’re considering therapy, it’s important to remember that there is no “right” reason to go. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and supported in the process, and that you have a therapist who is a good fit for you.