How do you start/ commit to therapy when the thing you want to get help in prevents you from going?
Asked by Flower
Answered
12/13/2022
Hi,
Starting therapy can be a difficult decision. Often people view it as a weakness. I view it as an opportunity to become a better version of yourself and enhance the quality of your life. Therapy is a safe space for you to vent, talk, explore your emotions, and learn therapeutic techniques to help manage your symptoms by using coping skills. There are two types of coping skills positive and negative. Most people utilize negative coping skills. For example, someone may say, "I had a bad day, Im going to drink until I feel better." That's a negative coping skill. A person that acknowledges they had a bad day but makes a healthy decision is using a positive coping skill. For example, someone might say, "I had a bad day, let me go the gym or call a friend."
It's hard when things don't go as planned. Its easy to give up but I always encourage my clients to keep going. When we give up, we feed the depression, anxiety etc. It wants us to shutdown and I don't believe in giving it any power. I encourage my clients to feel their emotions and to create a plan for when they will start trying again. For example for a client that has experienced a bad day, it's ok if you need to tap out to reset. That's not a problem. You just need to create a plan for when you will tap in. In most cases if you don't set a plan, it's really hard to get restarted.
Consider exploring the benefits of therapy and how it can enhance your life. Seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. It's an opportunity for growth. It's a time for healing. Often we don't want to be a burden to our friends and family, so we suffer in silence. You don't have to suffer in silence. You have options. One of the things I love about BetterHelp is that you have options for therapy. If you are not comfortable in a video session, you can choose phone or messaging. I encourage you to focus on yourself and start your healing journey asap! Best of luck to you!
