Why Should I go to Therapy Anyway?
Created by: Michelle Luszczewski LCSW, LCADC on
There are multiple reasons why someone would want to see a therapist. Though the list below is not an all-inclusive or all-encompassing list, it highlights some of the top reasons individuals seek therapy.
When you see a therapist, you will be working with a professional who has spent 7 years obtaining bachelor and master level degrees and learning about mental health. The number of clinical hours required depends on the type of license. Once the clinical hours are complete you must pass a clinical licensing exam. Some therapists obtain additional licensures in specific populations to treat.
For example, I have a license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (I had to complete a 3,000-hour internship under the supervision of a clinician with their LCSW that had a minimum of 3 years post graduate experience and went through a supervision training). My LCSW allows me to work in different capacities outside of providing assessments, mental health diagnoses and treatment, which is therapy. As an LCSW, I can also work as a case manager, as a medical social worker, research, child welfare, public health and policymaking. In addition, I have a license as a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. To obtain this license I completed an internship of 4,000 supervised hours while I had my bachelor’s degree and had to take a certification exam at the bachelor’s level then again at the master’s level. This additional license means I spent time focused on working solely with substance use.
Therapists (e.g., LCSWs, LCPCs, LMFTs, LCADCs) are all required to complete continuing education units. It depends on the state you’re licensed in and the board you are under as to how many units you have to complete yearly or every 2 years. As professionals, most of us pay for these CEUs out of our own pocket and also need to pay the licensing board to maintain our license.
Therapists can specialize in treatment modalities or specific populations. Much like my LCADC, there are certifications for other mental health concerns. Therapists often become certified in DBT, EMDR, CBT, etc. This means the therapist spent additional time learning about these modalities or populations and met requirements to become certified. Sometimes you will see a therapist list “IFS informed” or “DBT informed” because they completed additional training but are not in a spot financially to pay for an additional certification along with the certifications additional CEUs.
As you can see, with all of the education and continuing education requirements, therapists are more just friends who give advice. Ethically, as an LCSW, it is not my job to give you advice but to help you find your own autonomy to make the healthiest choice for you, as you are the expert of your life.
You’re having big, intense feelings.
- Sometimes, when we move through life, we experience an increase in our emotions and we do not know the best way to cope with them. Oftentimes people attend therapy when their feelings of anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, etc. have increased and make them feel like they are out of control in order to learn how to cope with and manage the emotion.
You’re going through a life transition.
- A life transition can be; a change of job, a change of career, a move to a different city or state, the loss of a relationship (friendship or romantic), concerns in a relationship etc. Therapy can help you process these changes.
You have increased use of unhealthy coping skills such as alcohol use, substance misuse, porn, gambling, overeating or self-harming.
- Perhaps a situation occurred in life and you didn’t know how to cope with it and now family and friends are noticing that you’ve increased unhealthy coping skills which can lead to addiction or unmanageable chaos. Or maybe you yourself have noticed an increase in self harming and uncomfortable behaviors and want to learn healthy ways to cope.
You became a caregiver for a loved one or friend and feel overwhelmed.
- In general, caregivers have the best of intentions when they agree to take on full time care giving. Oftentimes it does not fully sink in that the person we are caring for may get worse especially if they have a terminal diagnosis. Care giving takes an emotional toll, and caregivers may want a safe space to talk without judgment.
The death of a spouse, loved one, friend or pet.
- Oftentimes when we experience grief, we find that many people do not find talking about our loved one comfortable. Oftentimes we feel sadness, anger, denial, lonely or guilty and may want to speak with a therapist to help process our feelings on our loss. While death is a natural part of life it is also a hard aspect of life to accept.
You think you may have a mental health diagnosis or you have received a mental health diagnosis.
- Some, not all, mental health diagnoses require medication. Medications are prescribed by a psychiatrist. If you’re receiving mental health medications it’s also beneficial to receive therapy because medications only help to a certain extent. Therapy provides education on your diagnosis, coping skills to help manage symptoms of your diagnosis and a safe space for you to discuss feelings on your mental health.
You’ve experienced a trauma and find it difficult to move forward.
- When we leave trauma unprocessed it has control over us. For some, it leads us to using unhealthy coping skills to numb the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings we have following a trauma. For others, we find that we have changed and may not be sure why, we don’t understand why we’re irritable or constantly feeling on high alert or we’re tired of having to avoid people, places, situations, things that remind us of the trauma. All feelings and thoughts can be processed for you to have an understanding of how the trauma has affected you and work toward healing.
Experiencing low self-esteem or constant negative thoughts about yourself.
- Therapy can help you increase coping skills, learn how to increase your self-esteem, increase positive self-talk, and self-love.
You’re having trouble in your relationships.
- Communication, finances, parenting, religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc. can all be sources of trouble in a relationship. Relationships are work, they aren’t easy. Sometimes having a safe space to be heard can help with relationships. Therapy can help find a way for you and your spouse to communicate with each other, learn to build safety in your relationship and reconnect with each other.
You want to better yourself.
- Maybe you want to learn to communicate better, learn about healthy boundaries, understand behavioral patterns you have or have a safe space to discuss anything that is going on in your life.
I have often compared mental health to maintenance on a car. If the check engine light is on in your car you take it in immediately to ensure that you have a safe way to get to and from places. Then once the car no longer has an immediate need you continue to keep up with maintenance such as 30,000-mile check. Same with your mental health. Most people come in when something gets to be too overwhelming and now have an immediate need for therapy. Once they’re in remission from their intense symptoms and leave treatment, they’re still encouraged to come back for maintenance when they see fit. Everyone experiences mental health crises throughout life. Everyone has coping skills. It’s how you handle those crises and which coping skills you use (healthy or unhealthy) that aid in your maintenance and remission of symptoms.
Ready to start your journey to healing? Schedule an appointment with Michelle by calling (702) 527-8362 or by emailing evokeinsighttherapy@gmail.com