Statistics show that almost 42 million adults in the US receive mental health treatment in 2021, and it’s expected to grow.
Although this is a step in the right direction, there are still misconceptions about who can and can’t get therapy. In fact, one survey shows that 47 percent of Americans think going to therapy is a sign of weakness.
This could stem from the types of stigma people hold for people with mental disorders. But contrary to common perception, it’s not just people with mental disorders who benefit from therapy.
In fact, you don’t even have to struggle with a mental health issue to seek therapy. Here’s how going to therapy sessions can benefit everyone.
Helps You Handle Difficult Situations
All of us go through difficult phases in our lives. This can include moving to a different city, switching jobs, or getting married.
Regardless of the transition or situation, it can cause stress and make it difficult to focus on your daily routine.
Attending a therapy session at a dedicated treatment centre like United Recovery can help you deal with abrupt shifts taking place in your life.
Your therapist provides you with a supportive environment where you can explore your feelings and come up with strategies to manage your stress.
Helps You See Yourself From a Different Perspective
Every person is guilty of seeing things through their own perspective, but sometimes, it can limit your ability to solve problems and think creatively.
Therapists are trained to be objective when talking to clients. So, when you discuss a problem, they provide you with crucial input as a neutral third party.
They don’t tell you what you want to hear but guide you on how to see things from a different perspective. In doing so, you start to see the different ways that other people may view you.
You also start viewing your problems and feelings from a new perspective, which increases awareness about how these factors affect your life.
Helps You Uncover a Hidden Source of Suffering (Or Not)
Contrary to popular belief, a therapist’s job isn’t to tell you what’s wrong and what’s right. Rather, they ask you questions about how things make you feel and help you come to a conclusion.
At times, this can help you realise that your relationship isn’t as healthy or balanced as you thought.
Or, you may realise that your current career path isn’t the right one for you. By doing so, therapy helps you uncover a hidden source of suffering.
Even if you don’t realise these problems, chances are that they leave you feeling unfulfilled or unhappy in some way.
The opposite can also be true. It’s possible that you’re in a good place mentally, but you’re still worried about something.
In this situation, your therapist helps you deconstruct your worries to understand where the problem lies and if there’s even a problem at all. Once you realise that you are overthinking, you start living in the present and enjoying what you have.
Improves Your Relationship Communication
Everyone wants to form fulfilling and happy relationships with others, whether they’re with romantic partners, friends, or family members.
And all good relationships start with effective communication. If you feel like you’re unable to communicate your needs in an effective and assertive manner, a therapist can guide you.
After all, poor communication can make things worse than none at all. During therapy sessions, your therapist will build important skills like active listening, being truthful without sounding rude, and maintaining a consistent tone.
Build Coping Strategies
Stressful events and situations are bound to happen – it’s impossible to control them. What you can control, however, is the way you respond to it.
Therapy teaches you to respond to stressful situations in a helpful way that doesn’t exacerbate the issue.
Whether you need to meet a tough deadline on a work-related project or you and your partner are going through a rough patch in your relationship, using the right coping strategies will help you pull through.
By working with a therapist, you’ll learn techniques like mindfulness and deep breathing to alleviate stress levels. Doing so can stop you from panicking and helps you think clearly to come up with a solution.
Helps You Deal With Grief
The loss of a loved one is a major event that affects how people see the world and live their lives. While some learn to cherish every moment with the people they love, others don’t recover from the grief.
That’s because everyone grieves differently – some are able to return to daily life soon after the event, but others need more time.
Relationships, even those with the people you love, are complicated, so it’s natural to feel more than one way about someone you’ve lost.
In this situation, speaking to a therapist about your loss can help you recover. That’s because you have the opportunity to explore your emotions, which can be both positive and negative.
Improves Problem-Solving Skills
There may be times when you’re faced with a problem that you can find the solution to. In this case, your therapist can provide a broader perspective that helps you address the situation from a new angle.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed about implementing a solution, they can help you break it down into smaller tasks.
When you’re about to make a major life decision, it can be difficult to know if you’re making the right choice.
Although your therapist won’t tell you which choice to make, they can help you feel more comfortable with your decision.
With their guidance, you’ll weigh the pros and cons of each option. That way, you’re at ease with whatever choice you make, and there’ll be no ‘what-ifs.’
To conclude, there are a number of ways that therapy can benefit people, regardless of whether they have a mental health concern or not.
Jean Smith is a fitness enthusiast and blogger who focuses on fitness and a healthy lifestyle. She is passionate about assisting people in living healthier lifestyles and is constantly on the lookout for new and creative methods to stay fit and healthy. Her articles are excellent resources for anyone interested in improving their health and fitness.