Beginning therapy can be a big step toward being the healthiest version of yourself and living your best life. Through therapy, you can change self-destructive behaviors and habits, resolve painful feelings, and improve your relationships, among other goals.
Psychotherapy is a collaborative treatment based on the relationship between an individual and a therapist. Grounded in dialogue, it provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who’s objective, neutral, and nonjudgmental. You and your therapist work together to identify and change the thought and behavior patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best. The relationship with your therapist is a confidential one and focuses not only on the content of what you talk about, but also the process, meaning how you share your feelings and experiences. This therapeutic process is considered to be just as important as the specific issues or concerns you share in therapy.
Signs that you could benefit from therapy include:
- You feel an overwhelming, prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness
- Your problems don’t seem to get better despite your efforts and help from family and friends
- You find it difficult to concentrate on work assignments or to carry out other everyday activities
- You worry excessively, expect the worst, or are constantly on edge
- Your actions, such as drinking too much alcohol, using drugs, or being aggressive, are harming you or others