Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.
-Pema Chodron
Well, isn’t this just the truth? For many, therapy is a place to explore the things that aren’t going away in our lives that need to be processed before they can be released.
What I find so interesting is how even in this day and age, therapy is still being vilified by certain people. The judgment and criticism from others and how they continue to stigmatize therapy, can make it all that much harder to start and continue with our own work in therapy.
I’ve heard many of these stories over the years from my own clients, and I have my own personal stories from my own life about my own work in therapy as well. My hope is that the more we can talk about our own positive experiences in therapy surrounding our own growth and healing, the more going to therapy will start to be normalized in society today. That is my hope moving forward!
Here’s what’s to come in this blog: reasons why someone might go to therapy, ways therapy can be weaponized by others, and wrapping up with some self-care ideas for when you’re struggling emotionally. Enjoy!
Here are some reasons why someone might go to therapy:
- They’re experiencing parenting struggles
- To grieve the losses in their life
- Because they’re experiencing a major life change or life transition
- To learn how to set and maintain clear boundaries with others
- To process relationship issues
- To work through past trauma
- To lower mental health symptoms from anxiety, depression, etc.
- For emotional support during a hard time
- Because of perinatal struggles that some women experience during pregnancy and/or postpartum
- To become a better human!
What else would you add to this list?
Ways therapy can be weaponized by others:
- Asking you why you’re still going (because after a certain amount of time you should be “cured”)
- Calling therapy a bad investment (which is ironic because it’s an investment in you)
- Wondering why you’re not fixed yet (meaning “fixed” on their timeline for you)
- Turning therapy into something negative (often because they are scared of your growth and healing and what that means for their relationship with you)
- Telling you that you need an extra session (often after you’re having a normal reaction to something they said or did)
- Saying that going to therapy means that you’re crazy (versus seeing how much strength it takes to go in the first place)
- Saying your symptoms are all in your head (if only they were so easy to alleviate, right?)
- If you were stronger you wouldn’t need therapy (versus seeing how strong you are for going!)
- Telling you your therapist doesn’t truly know you (they may feel threatened about your relationship with your therapist)
- Saying you’re to blame for all the relationship issues (you’re the scapegoat and therefore the only one who needs therapy to work on yourself, and then the relationship will improve according to them. Very one-sided)
What else would you add here?
Here are some self-care ideas for when you’re struggling emotionally:
- Talk to a therapist
- Focus on mindfulness and being present in the moment
- Go outside and look at the beauty all around you
- Snuggle with your pets
- Relax in bed
- Allow yourself time and space to feel your feelings
- Journal and write it down
- Meditate and focus on your breathing
- Connect with loved ones
What else helps you when you’re struggling emotionally?
If you’re struggling emotionally right now, know that you’re not alone. We’ve all been there (if we’re not currently going through it today). If you could use more help and support right now, please reach out to your doctor or a therapist in your area. I’m sending lots of love and compassion your way!
