It’s 2021 and “because you want to” or “because we are still dealing with a global pandemic” should be reason enough. There are all kinds of reasons to seek out help from an expert. Counselors and social workers have gone through several years of schooling, including a master’s program, as well as rigorous training for licensure. These routes of education (which continue into our careers with Continuing Education Units or CEUs) provide us with substantial knowledge about the intricacies of human experience.
Unless you actively seek out material on emotional processing, relationship management, and mental health- you only have the model you’ve been given… and sometimes that isn’t enough or does not work for you anymore.
Here are more reasons to explore what therapy can offer:
- If you are feeling stuck in any one certain mood or pattern
- If you’ve noticed similar issues coming up across different relationships
- If you are having difficulty managing stress
- If you are curious about your development as a person
- If you are looking for ways to change how you handle fear, anger, sadness, rejection, etc.
- If any of your symptoms are affecting social, emotional, or occupational functioning
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- Anxious/intrusive thoughts, disproportionate reactions, social withdrawal, extreme fatigue, episodic crying, panic attacks
- If you want an unbiased person to talk things out with
- If you’re undergoing a big change or life transition
- Family or romantic partner conflict
- To increase self-awareness
- To create a space that’s for you to focus on yourself (instead of your task list for the day)
- If you’ve experienced a recent loss
- If you’re curious about your sexuality or identity
- If you’re feeling frustrated or scared
- If you don’t like yourself
This is not an exhaustive list. There are more reasons to go to therapy than not. It can seem daunting to get started but therapy can be a very rewarding process. It does not mean you are dealing with a severe or chronic mental illness, although therapy can be helpful for those things too. It can also be a place to work on growth, gain education and insight on emotional patterns, and uncover existential questions. Your therapy experience is unique and will be what you make it.
A good fit with a proper and qualified counselor is important. So here are a few tips to get you started on your journey!
- Consider what qualities you are looking for in a therapist
- Check out the Meet Us page on our website and peruse our diverse group of clinicians
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- OR go to Psychology Today to search for a clinician that meets your needs
- I suggest picking a handful of prospects and reaching out to schedule a free consultation to confirm it will be a good fit
- Schedule your intake!
Getting started is the hardest part. Let us know if there is anything we can do to make that process easier for you. Healthier Days are Here!
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About Jasmine Payne:
Jasmine is a Resident in Counseling and provides services at the Fredericksburg location. She is a two-time graduate of Longwood University, receiving her B.S. in Psychology along with an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Throughout her graduate studies, Jasmine worked with teens and adults who belonged to various minority and multicultural populations. She also has familiarity with a wide spectrum of mental health concerns including anxiety/depression, grief, moodiness, self-improvement, motivation, relationship issues, and many more. To learn more about Jasmine, visit HERE.