Have you wondered whether therapy is something for you or if you could benefit from it? Have you been thinking about it for some time but can't seem to take that first step? This article explores the misconceptions about mental health support, who can benefit from therapy and how to know whether therapy is for you. 

What is a mental health issue?

Mental health issues can range from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance misuse, ADHD, autism, sexual trauma etc. These big words can often be associated with stigma in the wider population. Maybe you don't have a diagnosis but have noticed something is not entirely right. Whatever your situation, you can still benefit from therapy. Not having a mental health diagnosis doesn't mean therapy isn't for you.

Who is therapy for?

To come to therapy, you don't need to know whether you have a mental health issue or not. It may be time to get in touch with a therapist if you:

• are struggling to get through the day-to-day

• are not feeling like yourself

• are feeling overwhelmed and struggling to make decisions

• have difficulties in your relationships

In therapy, you can start to get curious about why you may have these thoughts, feelings and emotions. Simply starting these conversations with a trained professional can give you clarity in what you need and in thinking about the next steps. 

How do you know if therapy is for you? 

Therapy is not only for people who have a diagnosed mental health disorder. You can start treatment whenever you feel stuck or feel like it is time to do something about how you feel. There can still be a stigma associated with coming to therapy, but it doesn't have to be that way. If you have doubts about it, we can start unpacking that and consider why you may feel shame or anxiety when coming to therapy. 

Where to start?

Looking for a therapist can be overwhelming. Give yourself time. You can begin by contacting 2-3 therapists and scheduling a consultation call with them. Talk about whether they could help you with the issue you have. If it's not the right fit, tell your therapist at the end of the consultation, or if you need more time to decide, you can email them. Don't leave your therapist wondering since this is also the basis of healthy communication. We'd like to hear from you even if the answer is no. 

How can therapy help you?

Talking to a friend is an option, but you may not be as open with a friend as talking to a trained mental health professional. In friendships, there may be judgements and other people's feelings involved. We may be projecting our feelings or beliefs onto another person. However, therapy offers you a non-judgemental space where you can explore in a safe space what it is that your feeling is about and start to dive deeper. It is about you finding your own answers and learning about yourself. 

Reasons you may be avoiding therapy

There are many reasons why people delay going to therapy. Stigma is associated with asking for help and seeing a mental health professional. You may think it's not for you since you don't have a serious mental health issue. However, prevention is key to sustainable mental health and to your quality of life. Reasons you may be avoiding therapy: 

• having had bad experiences

• thinking that your life will fall apart

• believing that the problems will go away on their own with time

• not trusting that therapy can help you

These are all valid reasons and fears of why you may be avoiding therapy. However, getting on a consultation call can help you gain clarity and help you in your process of starting to feel better. The first session might be the scariest one and is often anxiety-provoking to both parties, the therapist and the client. It may help to bring that to the space and know that it's natural to feel anxious. It is a new situation, so there will be many unknowns, but you don't have to be in it alone. 

Taking the first step

During the consultation call, we can explore whether we're a match. It's okay not to know. Coming to therapy can prevent having a more profound mental health crisis. It is never too early or late to start therapy. You may have recommendations for a therapist from colleagues, friends, or someone who resonated with you in the online directory. Reach out to them and schedule calls with them. You cannot know whether they're the right fit, but you can give it a go.

Making a decision

Talking with your therapist can help you decide whether therapy is something you're ready to commit to. Get in touch with me if you have any questions or have thought about starting therapy with me. Whatever the question is, we can find an answer together. I look forward to hearing from you.

Please note: This is for educational purposes only and is not to substitute a therapeutic relationship with a mental health professional. If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 112 or your country's crisis line, where professional mental health workers can help you.