If you clicked on this blog post, you’re probably on the fence about whether or not you’re ready for therapy. 

First things first, I’d like to commend you on making it this far! Doing your research and understanding your options will set you up for success.

While starting therapy might bring up all kinds of emotions, whatever you’re feeling right now is 100% valid. You might be confused, nervous, excited, all of the above, or something completely different – and that’s okay! This blog is designed to help you feel a little more excited and sure of your next steps.

What is therapy?

Let’s start by answering the basics: what is therapy? 

Therapy is a 1-on-1 service provided by a registered mental health professional. During a therapy session, the professional – such as a psychotherapist, social worker, or counsellor – will speak with the client about any mental health challenges they might be going through. 

Also known as “talk therapy”, it’s a confidential and effective way for individuals to get support with their mental health.

Therapists are individuals who are highly educated and experienced. Psychotherapists and social workers must complete an undergraduate degree followed by a Master’s degree in their field. Along with this, they complete hands-on practicums where they gain essential experience working in the field with real clients. 

Once they’ve completed their education and practicums, they can register with their respective governing body and begin providing therapy services. Many therapists offer in-person services and there are virtual therapists, too!

What happens during therapy?

During a therapy session, the mental health professional will use their knowledge and expertise to engage in 1-on-1 conversations with the client who is seeking help. 

Each mental health professional will use a unique blend of approaches to help individuals navigate whatever challenges they are going through. Some of these approaches may include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Psychodynamic therapy
• Person-centered therapy
• Affirmative therapy
• Narrative therapy 
• Gestalt 
• And many more.

The ultimate goal of therapy is to support the client and help them improve their quality of life.

What can therapy help with?

Because every therapist specializes in different areas of mental health, the good news is there is definitely a therapist out there who’s right for you!

I could go on forever if I made a list of every problem therapy can help with. However, I’ve compiled a list of key challenges that many clients seek help with:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression or sadness
• Life transitions or challenges
• Addictions or trauma
• Relationship issues
• Family or spousal challenges
• Work stress or burnout
• Financial trauma
• Negative thought patterns

Long story short, if something in your life is causing problems (and impacting your mental health and well-being as a result), it can be spoken about in therapy. The key is to find a trusted professional who specializes in the area you’re seeking support.

3 signs you’re ready for therapy

Now that you’ve learned the basics about therapy, you might be wondering: is it time to begin?

Here are 3 signs that it’s time for you to start:

1. You want to improve your life. Maybe you’re tired of thinking negative thoughts about yourself or want to recover from an ongoing addiction. If you can recognize an area of your life that you’d like to change, this is a great sign that therapy may be right for you!
2. You’re ready to do the work. Therapy requires an ongoing commitment – some clients choose weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly sessions. You should be ready to commit a certain amount of time each month to your therapy practice in order to get the most out of it. Take a look at your schedule and consider where you could fit therapy in. If it feels doable (and maybe even exciting), this is another great sign!
3. You’re ready to get uncomfortable. This point isn’t meant to scare you – in fact, it’s meant to do the opposite! The reality is that therapy will likely put you outside of your comfort zone, and this is completely okay. Change happens when you challenge yourself and do new things you’ve never tried before. Opening up about your feelings might feel a little intimidating, but it’s 100% worth the process.

If you said “Yes!” to these three ideas, you are likely ready to begin your journey! Remember: you’re in charge and you can take things at your own pace.

The next step is to find a therapist and book a free Meet & Greet appointment. You can learn more about Meet & Greets and what you should ask during a session here!

If the points above didn’t quite resonate with you, that’s perfectly okay, too. You can always revisit them in the future and evaluate if your feelings have changed.

At Grey Couch, we’re on a mission to help you navigate the “grey stuff” going on in your life right now. We do that through therapy services, online resources, and our community! 

Book a free consultation today or join our community on Instagram!