Seeing a Therapist: Why Getting the Support You Need Matters

Have you ever thought about talking to a therapist but doubted whether discussing your problems or concerns could actually make a difference? In the article, “Types of Therapy” we explored how talk therapy can lead to measurable changes in the structure and function of the brain and can lead to significant, positive, and lasting change.

Perhaps you’ve been hesitant about finding professional support because you think that something has to be wrong in order to see a therapist, or that going to therapy means there is something “wrong” with you.

Don’t let stigma stand in your way

Today, it is more important than ever not to let stigma stop you from accessing every source of support available. While therapy is often essential for moving through diagnosable mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and substance use disorders, it can also be extremely helpful for processing the stress of life transitions associated with school, work, grief, and relationships.

Let’s look at a case example to illustrate this point.

K.V. is a 30 year old mother of two. She has recently started working again after having her second child 4 months ago. Although she is in the same job she had when her first child was born, since starting back to work a month ago she is finding herself constantly overwhelmed by her responsibilities at work and at home, and she doesn’t feel like she is doing anything well. She feels like her mind never has a chance to rest; she feels like she is constantly thinking about what’s next on her to-do list and that it’s hard to be in the present moment. In addition to juggling work and motherhood, K.V. has had to step in to help her parents who have had recent health concerns. At the suggestion of a friend, K.V. decided to see a therapist for the first time to help provide a space for her to vent and process the stress she’s experiencing and find better ways to manage it.

Through working with her therapist, K.V. has gained some key insights into herself. For example, although K.V. does have a lot on her plate, her therapist has helped her see that holding unreasonably high expectations of herself and discomfort with asking for help cause her to feel even more overwhelmed. By talking this through in her therapy sessions K.V. has been able to identify where these expectations came from and to begin to shift how she sees herself. She and her therapist are now working on improving her ability to communicate her need for help, recognize that asking for help is not weakness, and accept that it is okay to say no. By practicing mindfulness skills, such as breathwork, K.V. now has tools she can use in the moment when she finds herself overwhelmed, and she embraces the idea that prioritizing self-care is not selfish.

As this case study illustrates, therapy can be a powerful way to process your experiences, gain self-awareness, challenge unhelpful patterns, and learn practical tools for coping. K.V.’s experience reminds us that seeking support doesn’t require a crisis. Therapy can be an essential part of maintaining mental and emotional well-being throughout life’s transitions.

Whether you’re navigating major stressors or simply want to better understand yourself, therapy can offer meaningful growth, healing, and support.

Further reading:

1. Types of Therapy shares the common types of therapy, the types of mental health professionals who provide psychotherapy, and the approach each form of psychotherapy takes.
2. Finding a Right-Fit Therapist explores what to look for in a therapist.