What is Therapy?

The counseling profession sometimes has a stigma around it. I’ve heard people disregard the importance of therapy simply by not understanding what happens in the counseling relationship. I’ve heard comments like “I’m not crazy so I don’t need a therapist.”We all have things that cause us stress, discomfort, or headaches in our lives.

This is a part of life. Sometimes we can manage it on our own and sometimes we need help to figure it out. Sometimes we get STUCK! We think that we have covered all the options… maybe we haven’t. The counseling relationship is special in that you can truly be YOU! It is a safe place to work through your most challenging moments in life.

“It is a sign of wisdom, not weakness to ask for help.” Unknown
When we ask for help that doesn’t mean that we are weak it simply means that we are too involved in the situation to see the big picture. We need someone to objectively look at the situation and help guide us to get “UNSTUCK.” You are always in the drivers seat.

Therapy can help us develop new coping skills or improve on the ones that may no longer be effective. I often tell people that counseling is like bringing in all your “baggage,” unpacking, sorting it out, and then putting back together in one small easy to carry bag.

Each therapist will be different in the way that they work with you based on their training, education, and theoretical orientation. See my previous blog about how to choose a therapist for great questions to ask.