People choose to start psychotherapy for many reasons, each as individual and unique as they are. Some come for treatment of a mental health diagnosis, others come to learn how to better resolve conflicts or manage emotions, and others still come for help coping with major life changes and traditions.
Let’s talk about the top 5 reasons that people choose psychotherapy:
5. Personal Development
Many people choose to start psychotherapy as a way to build their self-awareness and practice personal development. It can be incredibly empowering to understand your own thoughts and behavior patterns. Finding new ways to grow and develop can be a total game-changer for your career, relationships, and overall mental health! Psychotherapy is a great way to train (or re-train) your brain and learn how to work towards healthy self-improvement.
4. Life Transitions
Many people choose to start psychotherapy to better manage the stress of difficult life transitions. Whether it’s the loss of a job, retirement, relocation, or becoming a parent—change (even if it is for the better) can be difficult and uncomfortable. You don’t have to walk an unfamiliar road alone; if you need someone to talk to about the new season or situation in your life, psychotherapy might be right for you.
3. Relationship Troubles
It may come as no surprise, but even the best of relationships can experience difficult seasons. Those who are experiencing marital stress or needing to process and resolve the impact of affairs or other disruptive events can find psychotherapy transformative. A skilled psychotherapist can help couples and families hoping to improve conflict resolution, connection or communication in their relationship. Whether you need to talk about marriage, divorce, co-parenting, or simply develop better communication patterns, psychotherapy can give you a safe space to process the ups and downs of your relationship.
2. Healing From Trauma and Other Painful Events
You’ve probably heard the quote “life is tough, but so are you,” but what happens when simply being tough isn’t enough anymore? Life has a way of exceeding our capacity and ability to “tough it out,” but asking for help can make all the difference. Individuals often seek the support of a psychotherapist when dealing with the loss of a loved one, or to help restore a sense of safety following an assault or traumatic incident. Psychotherapists work with you to process overwhelming or difficult experiences and to reduce the impact of negative emotions such as shame, guilt, fear.
1. Managing Emotions
Perhaps the number one reason that many people begin psychotherapy is a desire to learn how to better manage their emotions and emotional well-being. Understanding why you feel the way you feel, then learning how to communicate and resolve particularly intense feelings, are the first step and most important steps to regaining control of the way you feel. While diving into your feelings might seem scary, an experienced psychotherapist has the skills and strategies to make this process of self-discovery and emotional healing a rewarding one!
Do you have more questions about psychotherapy? Check out our blog at www.skinnerpsychotherapy.com/blog.
Bonnie J. Skinner is a Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Canadian Counsellor. Having developed her career in community based mental health across Canada, Bonnie now owns and operates a practice in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario where she helps individuals, couples , families and organizations overcome obstacles to their chosen goals. Learn more at www.skinnerpsychotherapy.com.