5 Signs You Should Reach Out To A Therapist
Takeaway: If you are considering therapy but unsure about starting, there is no harm in trying it out to see if it is for you. Whether it is curiosity or being proactive, therapy can help you decide what your next steps are.
It can be hard to decide if it is worthwhile to reach out to a therapist. Factors such as time, cost, and general lack of information can be barriers to starting. If you’ve had the thought that therapy might be a step you would benefit from, there is likely a valid reason behind it.
“Simply wondering whether you should see a therapist is reason enough to give it a try, even if it’s purely out of curiosity.” - Jake Cummings, LPC pending
There might be a shift in your lifestyle, relationships, or body, that has negatively altered your mental wellbeing. Therapists can help guide you through processing any changes. Part of a therapist’s role is to ask thought-provoking questions about your life and background to identify any barriers to functioning and happiness.
Everyone’s symptoms present differently but it is helpful to be mindful of:
Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too much, too little, insomnia, etc)
Social interaction changes (withdrawn, overexcited, reduced/increased social battery, etc)
Little to no enjoyment/interest in previously liked activities
Engaging in risky or unhealthy behavior that is unusual for you
Extreme exhaustion despite adequate sleep and difficulty getting out of bed
“People typically wait until their symptoms or pain have reached a threshold, but therapy can be preventative and treat symptoms before they become unbearable.” - Therese Clucas, LPC pending
These signs do not equal a diagnosis and the extremity of them varies person to person. However, if you exhibit unusual behavior that causes any amount of distress to you, it is recommended that you seek out help. Therapists are professionals who can provide psychoeducation and insight into symptoms. They are able to answer questions on various mental health concerns – there is no such thing as a “stupid” question. “Knowledge is powerful, and it may make the symptoms feel less daunting when you understand them and where they are coming from,” said Therese.
“Regardless of what’s going on in life, it’s always helpful to have someone to talk to, to help you dig deeper or even just provide you with skills or tools to help navigate your symptoms.” - Hannah Adams, Therapist Intern
The World Health Organization has identified anxiety disorders as the most common mental health disorders, affecting 301 million people. Mental health concerns are more common than you might think. Affecting 1 in 8 people, they cause disturbances in all aspects of life including behavior, thinking, and emotion regulation.
“I would encourage someone to consider therapy before symptoms become too debilitating.” - Therese Clucas, LPC pending
For any questions regarding your first appointment, Contact Us, to request an appointment, you can call, email, or click “Request An Appointment” to get started. Our administrative team typically responds within a few hours on weekdays. On weekends, we’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
