Talk therapy gets a bad rap sometimes. For many, it is something only weak people do, a thing they would never need and something to be deeply ashamed of doing. To them "analysis" is a self indulgent, obnoxious thing to talk about and something only crazy people utilize.
This is not the background I come from. It might be because my mother WAS a shrink, but in my family and among many of my friends, having a therapist was par for the course.
It's actually a great thing to do. Even if you don't have a "reason" to go to therapy (like a trauma or some deep secret), the reality is that therapy can be beneficial for everyone. It's a chance to talk and talk to someone who has nothing to gain or lose from you. A neutral party whose sole purpose is to help you What could be wrong with that? Here are 8 great reasons to consider therapy now:
- You are not sure what to do with your life: A therapist can help you determine a good path that utilizes your best qualities and helps you downplay your worst.
- You keep having the same fight with friends: If you are like many people, you keep making the same friendship mistakes again. And again. And again. A therapist can help you figure out why.
- You want to make your marriage stronger: You know what helps a marriage? Time apart. Time to reflect. Better ways of communication. These are all things a good shrink can help you with.
- You have a boss you hate: Don't vent to your boss. Don't storm out in a huff. Talk to your therapist. He or she can help you find ways of making work more tolerable.
- Motherhood is overwhelming you: You know those moments you just want to SCREAM? Talk to someone about it. Spend an hour working on coping mechanisms. It's better than Yoga.
- Your schedule is overwhelming: It may seem counter-intuitive to add YET another appointment to your insane week, but therapists can actually help you figure out what you can let go of, what you can outsource, and what you need to keep come hell or high water.
- You stress eat: If you are using other unhealthy means of coping -- eating, smoking, drinking -- therapy can give your head the space to figure out why. And help you to stop it.
- You are having nightmares: No matter what the reason, a good therapist can help you sort out what is happening in your waking life that is making it all worse.
Do all these things sound normal? It's because they are. People can go to therapy to help make their every day lives a little easier. The end. No shame in that, right?
Would you ever see a shrink?
*I speak by phone with my shrink often and see him twice a year.
