As someone who’s been in therapy for over a decade, I’m often asked the question, “Why are you still going?”
Someone once even asked me, straight to the point, “Aren’t you fixed by now?” (Yikes!)
One of the biggest misconceptions about therapy is just a space for “fixing” our issues. If we aren’t having any identifiable problems, why would we pursue therapy? Many people go so far as to assume that therapy is only for people with a diagnosable mental health condition, and of no real benefit to anyone else.
However, this is a very limited view of what psychotherapy actually has to offer us.
From personal development to improved relationships, therapy gives us abundant opportunities to live (and feel!) better. If you’re curious about what therapy can do for you, this list will shed light on why therapy — yes, even if you’re feeling fine — is worth pursuing.
1. Building on your strengths.
While many of us think of therapy as a place to “fix” things, therapy can also be an incredible space to build yourself up. A therapist can help you identify your personal strengths, and identify opportunities for tapping into those strengths and building on them.
For example, you may not have known that one of your secret powers is quick decision making. You might have even considered it a negative, thinking of yourself as too impulsive! However, with the work of a therapist, you can uncover new ways to wield this strength, and might even uncover a new career path where your quick thinking is advantageous.
2. Improved self-esteem and self-awareness.
While most of us have insecurities, how many of us can identify where they come from and how to work through them? Therapy is the ideal space for exploring feelings of inadequacy, and can be a safe space to develop healthier self-esteem and self-awareness.
For example, you may struggle with negative body image, finding it difficult to feel confident or comfortable in your own skin. This can be safely explored with a therapist, helping you to better understand where those feelings come from and what steps you might take to increase feelings of self-worth.
3. Better coping skills.
How are you managing your feelings of stress, anxiety, or sadness? Therapy can give you new tools and skills to deal with the discomfort, especially if you’re feeling like that discomfort is leaving you stuck or overwhelmed.
Working with a therapist, we can learn so much more about ourselves, including the fears that hold us back, the areas we can grow in, and the skills we need to develop so we can navigate our lives with more ease and confidence.
4. Help navigating big transitions.
The only constant is change, and therapy is great for preparing us for big changes! If you’re anticipating a transition, like starting a new job, moving to a new place, or entering into a new relationship, therapy can give us much-needed support throughout the transition.
I recently started planning for a cross-state move, and my therapist not only provided emotional support, but also helped me with the logistical planning and even used our sessions to help me pack. We also brainstormed obstacles I could anticipate during the move, and what to do if I ran into them.
Alma therapist Amaranta Henriquez, LMHC, described it best with this analogy: “I see therapy as a preventative measure. You wouldn’t fireproof a house during the fire. Similarly, you want to have the appropriate skills and self-work in place to navigate any future situations.”
5. Having a safe space to process and reflect.
While it may be tempting to live our lives on autopilot, therapy presents an amazing opportunity to slow down, reflect on our week, and think about whether or not we are aligned with who we want to be.
A therapist can offer us an outsider’s perspective, while also holding us to our values. For example, we may have experienced conflict with a loved one, and a therapist can help us to rewind, reflect on our choices, and brainstorm how we’d like to handle similar situations in the future.
6. Deepening and strengthening relationships.
Good relationships don’t just happen! Good relationships are built on a foundation of trust, communication, and empathy, all of which we can further develop through therapy.
Therapy can help us better understand our own relational wounds and begin to address them, as well as offering us another perspective to better understand and communicate with our partners and loved ones.
7. Accountability and direction for the goals you set.
Have you ever felt stuck or stagnant in life? Therapy can be useful in identifying what direction you’d like to move in, setting achievable and intentional goals, and uncovering what’s most important to you moving forward.
I’ve personally relied on therapy to explore new hobbies, consider new career paths, and discover new ambitions for myself. Therapy has helped me identify what brings me joy and fulfillment, and find new ways to incorporate and integrate those things into my life. It’s given me strategies for building community where I live, and addressing limiting beliefs that hold me back from reaching my goals.
If it feels sometimes like life must have more to offer, therapy can be a great space to figure out what’s missing.
8. More effective communication.
Maybe you’re looking to become more assertive, but you aren’t sure where to begin. Maybe you’re not used to accessing your feelings, and want to learn to convey your emotions to others more clearly. Maybe your anxiety or anger often gets in the way of saying what you really mean. Maybe you struggle to give and receive feedback.
Therapy can help with all of this (and more!). A therapist can be a great ally in exploring your communication style and areas for growth.
9. Uncovering what isn’t actually “fine.”
It’s true that while we may feel that we’re coping and doing “fine,” sometimes there are challenges underneath that haven’t made themselves known yet. Therapy can open up a space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and begin to notice patterns that impact your well-being.
For example, while you may have been a people-pleaser for much of your life, you may not have noticed the negative toll it’s taken on you, or explored where this pattern came from. Therapy can help you unpack why you have these tendencies, and explore new ways of relating to others, including how to set better boundaries.
The truth is, there are many reasons why you might consider therapy, even if you’re feeling okay.
Becoming more self-aware can have a multitude of benefits, and those benefits aren’t just limited to someone with a diagnosable condition or active trauma.
With the right fit, a good therapist can guide you toward greater life satisfaction, deeper relationships, better coping skills, and more. With their support, you’ll likely find yourself better prepared for life’s inevitable ups and downs.
For me personally? I’m lucky to have found an affordable therapist through Alma, which means I can continue seeing my therapist for years to come. And with so many benefits to consistent care, why wouldn’t I?
