Mental Health Therapy: When and What to Consider

What struggles do clients often have that leads them to seek therapy?

There are many reasons a person may decide to seek therapy, such as noticing unwanted emotions, thoughts, or behaviors. Many may experience unfulfilling relationships or feel unsupported or disconnected. Some may experience life transitions that feel daunting, terrifying, exciting, or frustratingly familiar.

What are signals that someone might want to consider starting therapy?

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or lost. Maybe you notice behaviors, thoughts, or moods have impacted your own life and relationships. You notice you’re experiencing more heaviness than joy. Or maybe you are just curious about therapy!

What should someone look for in a therapist?

Everybody needs something a little different in a therapist. When finding a therapist it is important to find a good balance of feeling seen, supported, and challenged. The right fit will allow you to feel safe expressing your inner world. Even though therapy can be heavy, the right therapist will hopefully help you navigate your world with a little more lightness, laughter, and joy.

How to find the right fit?

People say finding the right fit is similar to dating. It might take you a few different sessions, but you’ll eventually find a person you gravitate towards, where sharing feels a little easier, and who helps you feel truly safe and connected.

How can therapy help?

Therapy can help in so many ways! It can provide tools to manage stress, improve communication with others, and help you understand your life goals. It can also give you a safe space to process the chaos of life and stories that are no longer yours to hold. Therapy can help you feel more connected to yourself through identity exploration so that you can show up authentically, create a more fulfilling community, and write a new story.

What might clients experience in a therapy session?

Therapy can be frustratingly unpredictable. Sessions might be filled with silence, laughter, and high emotions, but I hope clients feel seen, understood, and supportively challenged.

What do clients walk away from sessions saying?

I hope clients leave sessions feeling a bit lighter, clear, and more grounded!

By Jayme Waite, Clinical Trainee