Is Therapy Necessary?: The Inner Dialogue
If deciding whether or not to go to therapy could be written down in a black and white formula, with a yes or no answer, I think there'd be an enormous amount of relief for many people. Unfortunately, whether or not to lean into therapy is a personal decision.
The thought of leaning into therapy can kick up a lot of thoughts, questions, and emotions. For some, the idea of therapy seems like a personal attack. Others, don't believe their struggles are "big enough" to seek the support of a professional. Still, there are some that will come to therapy for months, and hesitate to name the real reason they're struggling. They simply don't know how to, or they're not sure that's okay to talk about in therapy.
There have been many generations before us that have never stepped foot in therapy, and they made it. There are many individuals to come that won't either. Which is their right, if they so choose. In more recent times, the idea of wanting therapy has become more center stage. It's now more of a respected tool for self growth, rather than a dark secret.
Therapy can be a place of relief, acceptance, support and encouragement for struggles of various shapes and sizes. In fact, chances are, there's a therapist that specializes in your specific shape and size of struggle. Odds are low that out of all of us in the world, there's experiences that only one single human has gone through. So no, your struggle is not too big, too small or too unique for therapy, should you choose to pursue it.
Therapy can take on many forms, depending on the therapist you land with. In my practice, I tend to work with my clients longer term and use the therapeutic relationship to support clients in overcoming their overwhelm, self doubt and past trauma. Together, we take the time to foster trust in the relationship and gain a deep understanding of the pain being carried so that it can be not only held, but respected. For many, this experience alone is worthy of the investment in therapy. Beyond that though, the long lasting transformation is after the finding, holding and respecting the pain. In my time with my clients, we work together to create a new relationship with it. This may mean getting closer to it, challenging it, and constructing new thoughts and ways of being in the world that have long been a part of oneself.
Admittedly, it can get messy. It can be a lot of work, sometimes painful, and at times, scary. But it's worth it. Often, there's a part deep inside of us that knows "the hard" is calling us in, so that we can grow. For what it's worth, I want to validate that it is worth it.
When your heart and mind are ready for therapy, there’s a longing for change and a commitment to leaning into the hard. The heart is open, and willing to explore depths that may be challenging, for the sake of a new sense of freedom and relief.
It’s a vulnerable commitment to make! It’s one that I hold with deep honor and respect to be on the other end of. I trust you’ll harness the authentic power in the form of desire, when you’re ready.
