Is Therapy Right for Me?
Unsure about whether or not therapy is for you? Not quite sure how it could help? I get it. Seeking out support from a stranger can feel pretty terrifying. And awkward. And overwhelming. You might be someone who knows a lot about therapy or someone who doesn’t have a clue what to expect. Either way, finding a therapist can be daunting. You might be asking if you even need therapy or if it could help you at all. Hopefully, after taking a few minutes to read through this article, you’ll have some answers to your questions.
Have you tried and tried to feel better and nothing seems to work? Whether it’s a lot of worry, feeling down, thinking your life isn’t quite what you’d hoped for, or just a general sense of not feeling like yourself. Maybe this has caused some problems in your relationships or in work or school. Maybe people in your life have suggested you look for some support. You’ve read a book or two, looked online for resources, or talked to friends and family, but nothing seems to be changing. If any of this sounds like you, it might be time to seek out a professional—someone who is trained to help support you through these very things.
What’s the difference between counseling/therapy/psychotherapy/coaching?
There’s a lot of words floating around that make it difficult to understand what’s what. On my website and in my practice, I use therapy, psychotherapy, and counseling interchangeably. For the most part, that holds true in many spaces. Here’s a couple of definitions that might be helpful:
Therapist/Psychotherapist- Someone who has been trained in psychotherapeutic techniques to treat mental illness, usually has at least a master’s degree in their area of study and holds a license. (Can be psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists)
Counselor- Someone who has been trained to give guidance on personal, or psychological problems, usually also has a master’s degree in there area of study, but not always (can be the same professions as above
Coach- Someone who motivates and encourages people to achieve their specific goals
There can be a lot of overlap with these, but at the core a therapist/counselor is typically someone who can assess, diagnose, and treat mental illness. A coach is less focused on reducing or treating symptoms. Many therapists and counselors can act as a coach as well.
What makes therapy different than talking to a friend or loved one?
For starters, therapists are trained professionals. They’ve spent time going to school and continuing to seek ongoing education in order to best support people with the very things you’re experiencing. They typically use research-based tools and treatment modalities to help people achieve their goals. And, they aren’t involved in the day-to-day of your life and can offer a new perspective. A therapist isn’t going to be competing with you or trying to make their problems bigger than yours. It’s your time—a time to discuss the things that matter to you without having to worry about the other person’s problems or needs.
What are some of the things people come to therapy for?
Lots of things! Most of the people I work with come to therapy to ultimately seek change in some capacity. Maybe they are experiencing some symptoms they are concerned about like sadness, worry, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, agitation, trouble focusing, or a loss of interest in things that used to make them feel good. Or maybe they recently experienced a traumatic event or the loss of a loved one. Or they are experiencing conflict within their relationships. People also come because the stress of life has gotten to be too much. They need some relief and aren’t sure how to do that on their own. Other times, people just feel stuck and want to work on making some clear goals that will lead them to become the person they want to be.
Does therapy actually work?
There’s a lot of evidence out there that therapy is effective in treating mental health disorders and helping people reach a better understanding of themselves. But, an essential part of this is being willing to put in the work to make it successful for you. This means showing up consistently to sessions and doing work in-between sessions. It could also mean it feels worse before it gets better. Many people come to therapy looking for a quick fix and to do the least amount of work possible. If that’s you, it might not be the right time for you yet.
How do I find a therapist that works for me?
There are a lot of ways to find therapists. Here’s just a few to help you get started:
You can do an internet search just by including some of the things you’re experiencing such as “anxiety therapist” or “depression counselor”. Or if there’s a specific way of working you want to find, you can look up that— “CBT therapist”, “EMDR therapist in Denver”.
You can get a recommendation from a friend, your doctor, or a family member.
If you want to use insurance, you can find out from your insurance company what therapists are in your network.
You can look at some of the therapist directories out there such as:
Once you have a few options, check out their website or bio and get a good idea of who they are. Many therapists offer a free consult phone call which is a great time to further explore their fit for what you’re looking for. Ultimately, therapy is a time for you and it needs to be with someone you feel has the experience you’re looking for and someone you feel comfortable building a relationship with. If, after going to a few sessions, you don’t feel like it’s a good fit, it’s totally okay to look for someone else!
I hope you find what you’re looking for and most of all I hope you know you don’t have to face the hard stuff alone. Therapy can be a great resource to help you learn new strategies, tools, and get closer to the life you want you want.
How I Can Help You:
Schedule a free consult appointment with me by clicking on the Schedule an Appointment button.
Send me an email- adrienne@adriennerogerscounseling.com
Give me a call- 970-870-2875
Go to my contact page HERE to contact me directly
