Humans are, without a doubt, one of the most complex species in existence. Our human mind is too intricate, filled with emotions, thoughts, and feelings that can sometimes make us feel disoriented, confused, or overwhelmed. Thankfully, there is a guide that can help us navigate this tangled web of emotions and find our way to clarity. And that is therapy.
Just like how we prioritize our physical health through exercise and a balanced diet, taking care of our mental and emotional well-being is just as important. Think of it as a personal trainer for the mind that helps us to stretch and strengthen our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. And it’s not just anecdotal evidence that supports the benefits of therapy and coaching. It is backed by numerous studies that have proven its effectiveness time and time again.
Unfortunately, despite the many benefits of therapy and/or coaching, many people still shy away from seeking it. If we have a physical ailment, we immediately consult a doctor. If we want to improve our physical appearance, we jump at the chance to join a gym. But when it comes to our emotional struggles, it would take a lot of consideration before thinking of going to a therapist. It also doesn’t help that going to the “shrink” is often viewed as a punchline in the media or how society views people undergoing therapy as “crazy.” Yes, the stigma is still real and still haunting us to this day.
It’s a common misconception that therapy is only for people with mental health illnesses. The truth is everyone can benefit from therapy and/or coaching, even if they’re simply looking after maintaining good mental health. Below, we’ve listed some of the reasons to try therapy and why it is perfect for your overall well-being.
Reasons to Seek Therapy & Coaching
- Managing mental health conditions: Therapy can be an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more. If not yet diagnosed but you suspect you have a mental health condition, therapy can also be a great way to get a better understanding of your symptoms.
- Navigating Life Transitions: Life changes such as divorce, job loss, moving to a new city, or becoming a parent can be stressful and difficult to navigate. Therapy can provide an outlet for discussing fears and anxieties related to such transitions.
- Dealing with Trauma: It can be hard to deal with childhood trauma, recent traumas, or other adverse life experiences. These traumas can haunt you for years if left ignored. A therapist can help you process these events and learn how to better cope and manage the emotional fallout.
- Personal Growth and Self-Improvement: Therapy can be a great resource for personal growth and self-improvement. A therapist is someone you can talk to about your life. They can help you gain insight and understand yourself better and develop healthy habits.
- Managing Stress: In today’s fast-paced world, it’s hard to avoid stress. Stress with work, family, and friends can easily build up until it becomes unmanageable. A therapist can help you learn to identify the sources of your stress and develop strategies to better manage it.
- Coping with Grief and Loss: Grief can be a very difficult process to deal with on your own. Experiencing a loss of a loved one can change you forever, but it’s absolutely possible to recover from your grief. A therapist can help you work through your loss and find a way to heal.
- Substance Abuse and Addiction: Substance abuse and addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s life. Therapy can help you identify the root causes of your substance abuse and develop healthy coping skills.
- Eating Disorder: Eating disorders come with a range of physical, emotional, and mental health complications. Therapy can be part of an effective treatment plan to help you break the cycle of destructive behaviors and develop healthier habits.
- Sexual and Gender Identity Concern: Therapy can be a great resource for those struggling with their sexual or gender identity. A therapist can provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for you to express your feelings and learn how to manage them.
- Phobias: A phobia can be paralyzing and prevent you from living life to the fullest. A therapist can help you confront your fears and teach you some coping techniques, such as exposure therapy.
These are just a few examples of why someone might consider therapy. No matter what the reason is, it’s important to remember that seeking help is always valid. And don’t worry if you’re unsure why you feel like you need a little extra help. Sometimes, simply feeling the need to talk to someone is reason enough to give it a try. And if you need a little extra convincing, continue reading, and we will explore more of the wonderful benefits therapeutic sessions can provide.
Therapy & Coaching helps you process and regulate your emotions
We deal with different emotions daily. Think about having butterflies in your stomach when your boss is about to announce the employee of the week or the happiness you feel when opening a surprise gift. Or when you feel your heart sink because the item you want to buy online is out of stock indefinitely.
These sorts of things, whether big or small, stir up our emotions that trigger the brain to activate the amygdala – the area responsible for initiating fight-or-flight responses. Emotional regulation allows us to have a momentary pause to avoid acting impulsively based on our fight or flight triggers. It lets us calm down when we first feel overwhelmed, step back from the situation, and see things in a clearer picture before initiating a response.
Therapy can help us regulate our emotions by creating a “breathing room” between those emotionally provoking stimuli and our responses. It helps us recognize, label, and control our reactions so that triggers don’t send us into spirals of meltdowns and burnouts. With the help of a therapist, we can better use our logical thinking and reasoning abilities which will save us from making decisions we will later regret.
Therapy & Coaching gives you access to appropriate life-long coping strategies
Coping refers to conscious techniques used to alleviate negative emotions. These techniques can range from thoughts to actions and can be personal or social in nature.
It’s important to note that not all coping methods are the same, and it’s so convenient to fall easily into the trap of using unhealthy coping mechanisms such as avoidance, procrastination, escapism, or substance abuse. These may provide temporary relief, but can also contribute to greater issues in the long run.
That’s where therapy comes in. Every person’s experiences and emotions are unique, so your therapist will work with you to identify the most effective coping skills for you. This may include simple breathing exercises, calming techniques, or other methods tailored to your needs. Your therapist will provide support and guidance as you explore coping strategies, and therapy sessions offer a safe and non-judgmental environment to evaluate the effectiveness of your coping mechanisms in managing your emotional burden.
Therapy & Coaching helps you understand yourself better
Understanding yourself doesn’t always equate to self-acceptance, but it is the initial step in fully embracing who you truly are. Therapy can give you a chance to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships with others. You’ll learn to identify your blind spots and make conscious choices on how you respond to different situations.
One of the coolest things about therapy is getting a handle on that inner critic who can feel relentless at times. The more you understand where it came from and why it’s there, the less power it has over you. And, when you realize that your inner critic isn’t always right, you can develop a kinder, more compassionate relationship with yourself. And who knows, you might just surprise yourself with how strong, capable, and amazing you really are.
Therapy & Coaching enhances relationships with family, friends, and colleagues
You know what they say, when you improve yourself, it has a ripple effect on those around you. Relationships are all about communication, but let’s be real, that can get complicated and messy at times. That’s why it’s important to learn how to communicate effectively, and a therapist can help with that. They’ll teach you how to talk to others in an understandable and respectful way that is beneficial not only during the good times but also when things get tough.
And if you feel your relationship may be unhealthy, a therapist can help you identify any harmful patterns and work with you to set healthy boundaries. They’ll be there to listen and support you as you navigate through these challenges. Because, at the end of the day, life is about forming meaningful connections with the people we love and being able to manage the relationships with those we don’t.
Therapy & Coaching helps us discover the power of our minds
It’s pretty wild to think about the complexity of our minds. Yet behind that complexity is the immense POWER it possesses. All of our emotional and mental struggles stem from how our minds work, which is why it’s so crucial to understand and tap into that power.
Dr. Cindy Sholes, one of rREST’s co-founders and coaches, perfectly discusses the power of the human mind in her blog. According to her, “Your mind has incredible healing powers. Once you learn to tap into those powers, you can begin to create new, healthy patterns that help you reach your authentic greatness.”
At rREST, we use the healing power of your mind to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. We use proven techniques to free yourself from old emotional baggage, create a healthy relationship with yourself, and build the life you’ve been dreaming of.
Still not convinced? We totally get it. It can be hard to understand the benefits of something you’ve never tried. That’s why we’re offering a complimentary consultation to see if our unique approach to therapy & coaching is right for you. It’s time to reach your full potential and be the person you were destined to be.
