Can therapy make you worse?

Of the questions that many people unfamiliar with therapy ask, “Can it make me worse?” is at the top of the list. Therapy’s benefits are well documented in research, and therapy is a recommended treatment for all sorts of issues including anxiety, depression, grief, substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD, and more.

Therapy, also called counseling, talk therapy, or psychotherapy, can also be helpful in setting and achieving goals or working on skills like communication or addressing relationship issues. Its potential benefits are numerous.

For those who are entering therapy for the first time, it may feel scary or intimidating to be talking about things they may not normally address. One of the things that may often be underneath other issues is holding onto or “bottling up” past experiences and the stress of doing so. For people who aren’t used to talking about hurtful events and experiences, emotions, or sharing private details of their inner thoughts, therapy can feel painful at first. Over time, it gets easier.

Your therapist should work to learn about you and also to build a collaborative relationship with you, wherein you feel comfortable talking about things, learning new skills and trying them out, and expressing emotions. This part of therapy may take time but lays the groundwork for success. Most people who go to therapy report benefits. In fact, about 80% of people who attend therapy report benefits, according to the American Psychological Association.

Some benefits of counseling include:

• Improved communication skills
• Increased relationship satisfaction
• Decreased anxiety symptoms
• Decreased depression symptoms
• Potential reduction in the use or need for medication interventions
• Overall improved quality of life
• Reduction of suicidal ideation
• Improved emotional regulation
• Reduction in substance misuse

If you have been experiencing any suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

People often associate therapy with mental health diagnoses like depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress, but therapy is helpful with other issues like communication, relationships, family dynamics, emotion management, achieving career or health goals, and getting support for life’s challenges like becoming a caregiver for an aging parent, preparing for marriage, or navigating divorce.

While discussing things you may normally not share or keep in the back of your mind may be challenging or upsetting, it can also be immensely beneficial to overall wellness.