As a registered counselor, I offer online counseling services to help support you on your journey towards mental health. But if you are undecided about whether or not therapy is an experience for you, I'm here to give you insight into how it can add value to your life...
Disclaimer: In this article, the term " therapy" and "counseling" will be used interchangeably.
If you're anything like me, many of us grew up under the impression that what happens in our internal worlds, should not be discussed. Rather than talking about our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, it was more common to brush these aspects of ourselves aside and sweep them under the rug.
However, as you transition into adulthood, you may find yourself noticing how your internal world is having an impact on your ability to be present in your everyday tasks, or it's impacting the quality of your relationships and may find yourself feeling as if you don't truly know yourself.
You may be finding yourself having difficulty controlling your thoughts, or your emotional reactions to changing circumstances, which can be difficult to describe to your friends and family. That's where therapy comes in.
Therapy can help you get to know yourself better
A registered counselor can help you to explore your thoughts, your feelings, and your behaviours without any judgment and within a safe environment. Within the therapeutic relationship, you can safely explore your thought patterns, the motivations behind certain behaviours you engage in, and why you feel the way you do.
Intentionally getting to know your authentic self can be a daunting process, but counselling/therapy provides a safe and contained space to do so, while undergoing the process of accepting yourself and learning to love all that you are.
Therapy can help you get equipped with healthy coping skills
You do not need to wait until you need therapy, to need therapy. Counseling is a great way to explore ways of coping that are healthier for you so that when you find yourself in a crisis or navigating through daily stress, you can depend on healthier coping strategies as opposed to self-destructive ones.
Along with your counselor, you can explore ways of coping using the resources that you have accessible to you.
Therapy can help you learn how to practice self-reflection
Knowing how to turn your energy inward and pay attention to your own thoughts, feelings, behaviours, etc. is a skill that takes time to learn and put into practice. It's often a skill that we're not taught through traditional schooling and parenting mediums, and it's okay to not know how to explore your internal world.
That's where counseling can be a great space to learn how to focus on yourself and how you can get to know yourself better.
Therapy can help you feel heard, and supported
If you are finding yourself going through a difficult period or a crisis, therapy can help offer you a safe space where you can feel supported without any judgment.
If you are finding yourself feeling like no one in your current circle understands or has the capacity to offer you the kind of support you are needing right now, counseling is a space where you can receive support.
Therapy can equip you with communication skills
You may be noticing that you often find it challenging to communicate your needs, wants, or desires effectively in your relationships, and this is where counseling can assist. You can learn about the different styles of communication and which style is most effective for you. Your counselor can help to guide you and allow you to practice healthier ways of communicating within sessions.
There are numerous benefits to therapy, and if you have found yourself being drawn to this article, may this serve as an invitation to give therapy a go.
I do want to note that there are numerous different forms of therapy and counselling available, within South Africa, and it may take some time and research to find which type of counselling is best suited to your needs. Be patient with yourself in the process of searching for a suitable fitted mental health practitioner for your and your needs.
If you are unsure about what kind of therapy may be best suited for you, give me a shout and I'll be happy to assist.
Let me know in the comments below if you'd like me to touch on the different types of therapy approaches that are available.
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