Maybe you should talk to someone...

 "Maybe you should talk to someone..."

The words that evoke feelings of anxiety, anger, shame, confusion, and concern for so many. 

So what does it even mean? To "talk" to "someone". 

We know that by "someone", the person really means a counselor or therapist. Even with all of the progress that has been made in destigmatizing seeking help for mental health concerns, there is still some level of offense that is often interpreted when we consider the thought that others may perceive us as someone who needs to talk to "someone". 

So, this begs the question, what kind of people need to go to therapy?

To be brief, if you inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, therapy will most likely prove beneficial. 

Whether you are going through a difficult life event such as a divorce, loss of a loved one, dealing with prolonged grief, difficult relationships in your life, career concerns, or stress of any kind, or you have been living with symptoms of anxiety or depressions for your whole life, therapy can help. Everyone has difficult situations in their lives, and for many, it is helpful to have someone outside of your daily life, someone who won't judge you, think less of you, or betray your trust to speak with and help you to navigate the ups and downs you are facing. 

Many also ask how long counseling lasts.

It lasts as long as it is helpful for you. Some people choose to stay in counseling for years, having appointments regularly to have a consistent person to talk to and assist them. Others come to counseling hoping to solve a specific problem and choose to end the counseling relationship once they have found a solution for the problem. It is completely up to you how long you stay in counseling. 

Image: Psychology Today, 2019                       

The above visual is one of my favorite representations of therapy. The idea that we can come in with our jumbled, tangled, and confusing mess of thoughts, feelings, and experiences while a safe and nonjudgmental professional helps us to understand, untangle, and make sense of the mess is a beautiful idea. Lucky for us, this is exactly what is available to us when we seek therapy and mental health counseling. 

If you feel like your thoughts are a tangled mess, are struggling to make sense of your emotions, or feel like life is just too much right now, know that you are not alone. 

As always, if you have questions about the counseling process, I would love to speak with you and am happy to help answer any questions or alleviate any concerns.