Why Therapy?

Written By Chidi Nwaedi

Benefits of therapy

Therapy can help you to:

  • feel stronger in the face of challenges

  • change behaviors that hold you back

  • look at ways of thinking that affect how you feel

  • heal pains from the past

  • build relationship skills

  • figure out your goals

  • strengthen self-confidence

  • cope with symptoms

  • manage strong emotions like fear, grief, or anger

  • enhance problem-solving skills

  • navigate prejudice and social injustices that impact mental health

  • learn how to ask for help when you need it

  • set healthy boundaries and communicate effectively

  • receive support for substance use recovery

Getting the most out of therapy

  • Tell your provider your goals for treatment. Think about whether there are certain behaviors or issues you care about most. If you are unsure about your goals, ask your therapist if you can take time to reflect on them together.

  • Talk to your therapist about privacy and confidentiality. If you’re concerned, you can ask about privacy expectations. Usually, though, it’s understood that a therapist respects your privacy; and that group members do too, if you’re meeting in a group. Your therapist will probably ask you if you want notes/records from your sessions to be shared with doctors or other members of your care team. It is also important to be clear about what things your provider has a legal obligation to take action on.

  • Be open and honest. Your therapist will be able to help you most effectively if you are honest about what you are going through. It can take time to develop trust with a new person, but do your best to open up about how you’re really feeling.

  • Embrace change. Be willing to consider new ways of behaving and thinking that might improve the quality of your life. Some suggestions your therapist makes may seem silly or like they won’t be helpful. But do your best to give them a try. We all resist change, so don’t be surprised if you are tempted to quit right before some real progress happens.

  • Practice at home. You might consider keeping a journal or asking your therapist for worksheets or guides that you can use at home to continue developing your skills.

  • Discuss progress. If you don’t feel like things are improving, you should tell your provider. A good therapist will want to work with you so you can get the most out of your sessions. After discussing your concerns, if you’re still not comfortable, you might consider meeting with another therapist for advice and possibly switching.

https://mhanational.org/resources/therapy/

Chidi Nwaedi
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