This is the biggest question anyone who is looking for a therapist is probably asking themselves. Do you need a therapist? That is ultimately a question that only you can answer but this article will look into the things we can ask ourselves to try and understand if we need therapy.
Starting therapy can be daunting when we don’t know what to expect and sometimes we are push into therapy by loved ones or others. In these cases it can be difficult to commit to therapy if you don’t actually think you need it but you’re doing it to please someone else.
So, let’s approach this question with just you in mind. A way to know if you need therapy can be through asking yourself further questions, such as:
- Do you sometimes behave or think in ways you don’t like or don’t recognise?
- Do you struggle to understand your emotions and/or communicate them to others?
- Do you have difficulties in current relationships? Do you wish they were better or that you could handle them differently?
- Are you lacking in relationships? This can be romantic, friendship or family relationships. Do you want to be more open to relationships or handle new relationships differently?
- Are you feeling unhappy more than you’re feeling happy? Or anxious more than you’re feeling relaxed? Or angry more than you’re feeling calm?
- Are you unfulfilled but struggling to work out what you want from life or what you should do next?
- Are you unhappy in the way your treated by others but feel unable to address it?
- Do you feel you are stuck in the same patterns and they never work?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, there is one more question you need to answer: do you want to change this situation?
Of course, there are other reasons that may bring us to therapy, for example, unresolved trauma, a recent bereavement, a change in your life circumstances, your attachment style, etc. This list of questions are definitely not the only reasons to come to therapy, but if you’re unsure if you want to make changes in your life and start your therapeutic journey they may help you understand what it is you want. Answering yes to any of these questions, and most importantly saying yes to the last question shows that you want to make changes and starting therapy is a great way towards addressing behaviours, relationships, thoughts, emotions and patterns that are no longer serving you.
Ultimately, deciding if you need or want therapy is down to you. A consultation call can be a good chance to discuss further if you’re unsure if this is right for you.