As a counselor with over 20 years of experience helping children and young adults in, I must first state that you do not have to be in crisis to seek professional help. Waiting to the point of your life feeling out of control will make seeing immediate positive results more challenging. However, most people wait until they are in full crisis to seek out a therapist, and that’s okay.  Better late than never. If you are considering getting mental health support, this article will help you discover if therapy is worth it for you.

could you benefit from working with a therapist before things spiral out of control?

Some signs indicate that therapy would be worth exploring:

1. You have thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else. 

If these thoughts are detailed and you are starting to develop a realistic plan, it is time to seek help. Even if these thoughts are occasional or fleeting, if you are having them repetitively, it is best to contact a therapist.

This is a more extreme situation and signals that someone is going through a crisis; however, I wanted to place it first on our list due to its importance.

2. You are in a prolonged state of anxiety.

We all have stress correlating to “good days” and “bad days.” But, if you are stressed to the point of constantly feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks, irritable with people you love, and have developed a negative mindset believing that fixing your problems is out of your control, you should seek therapeutic support. 

3. You are over-relying on friends for support.

Good friendships are one of the most beneficial factors of good mental health. Venting to a friend who understands you is both comforting and reassuring. However, a friend will not challenge you to examine how you may contribute to your problems. Friends are for nurturing and support.  If we lean on them too much with our problems, we risk turning the friendship into a support group without the key fundamentals and confidentiality that come from therapy. 

Finding the right therapist for you:

Once you decide to seek professional help, the task of finding the right therapist begins. Like the right pair of shoes, you are looking for a great fit and something that matches your budget and style. Here are some factors to consider:

1. What are the therapist’s credentials and experience?  

It’s okay to ask them if you are unsure.  I usually start by asking what types of therapy they are trained in and what populations they typically work with. How many years have they been practicing?

2. Do they offer in-person and telehealth services? And where is their office located?

Since the 2020 global pandemic, many therapists made virtual counseling through telehealth a part of their practice. Depending on your preference, you will want to know how a therapist offers their services.

3. Do they take your insurance?

The cost of therapy out of pocket is not cheap. Thankfully, more and more insurance companies are offering coverage for mental health. Whenever possible, try to find a therapist that takes your insurance. The cost of therapy should not be another stressor in your life.

What are the types of therapy and therapists?

In most cases, if you are just seeking therapy, you can begin with most types of counselors. Depending on your state, they may be called something different or have different abilities based on licensing standards.  Finding the right counselor for you will definitely help ensure therapy is worth investing in. Here are the most general types of counselors  you will find by certification:

Psychiatrist: This person is a medical doctor who attended medical school and is licensed to practice medicine. They will offer therapeutic support but most often handle medication management. If you are a first-time therapy seeker, this is not the best place to begin. 

Psychologist: A psychologist can have anything from a master’s degree, Ph.D. to Psy.D doctoral degree, but they all generally do the same thing.  Psychologists can do therapy and are most often the person you seek for diagnostic testing.  If you feel you or your child may have a personality, developmental, or emotional disorder, start with a psychologist.

Social Worker: A social worker works in private practice and community-based settings such as hospitals and schools. They cannot prescribe medication but often collaborate with doctors who can. Most social workers have a master’s degree, while there are a few doctorate degrees in social work in the country. 

Mental Health Counselor: A Mental Health Counseling degree is very similar to a social work degree. This is a master’s level education on theories, techniques, and therapy practice.

Marriage and Family Therapist: A Marriage and Family Therapist looks at a person’s relationship dynamics and how they impact one’s mental health. They can also counsel couples and families as a whole. 

Types of therapy:

If you want to make therapy worth it, choosing the right type for your needs should be a personal choice you make in collaboration with your therapist. Many types of therapy have similarities to them, so your therapist will use a variety of styles with you.

Jungian Therapy:

Carl Jung developed a dynamic therapeutic approach that allowed patients to explore their unconscious and conscious minds. Jungian therapy uses imagination, dreams, and meditation to reveal a person’s subconscious desires.

Client-centered:

Client-centered therapy, also called person-centered therapy, was developed by Carl Rogers. This type of therapy assumes that the client is the expert on themselves and should naturally seek to evolve. The counselor’s role is to provide a safe and comforting space for self-exploration.

CBT:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a popular type of therapy where a client is taught to examine the connection between their thoughts and behaviors. CBT is most effective in treating anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

DBT:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy for people who experience very intense emotions. It works best with borderline personality disorder. DBT is typically a one-year commitment and focuses on accepting negative emotions and letting them go. 

Is Therapy worth it: maximizing the benefits

While any type of counseling can relieve the client in each session, the work done outside of the weekly session can make the biggest impact on one’s life. You will make lasting positive changes by taking the lessons learned or new understandings developed in the counseling office into the real world. 

Your therapist will help you integrate the work done in the session into your daily life with little “homework” assignments. Being honest with your therapist is vital to maximize your therapy sessions and see the greatest benefit. Therapy is a nonjudgemental space for you to be yourself without fear of repercussions or disappointing others. 

If you are looking for a therapist for your child, read our article “How to Find the Right Therapist for Your Child.”

And don’t forget to sign up for the LHCH Newsletter to get helpful information delivered to your inbox each week.

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