Do I need therapy? Here’s 8 ways you can tell

Friends and clients often tell me they’re scared to call a therapist, uncertain if they really need one, or worried that a therapist will think their problems aren’t “serious enough” for an appointment.

I’m here to tell you that if something is weighing on you, it’s often worth talking about. Therapy isn’t just for people in crisis. 

A good therapist is non-judgmental—they’re here to listen and help you live a more meaningful life, not to criticize. A good therapist is honest; they’ll let you know in a free consultation if working together could be helpful. A good therapist will also let you know when therapy might not be helpful or when they fear therapy has stopped being helpful. A good therapist wants to see you thrive and will use their skills to support your journey.

Here are 8 common reasons to call a therapist:

1. You Can’t Shake A Certain Thought or Feeling

We all feel sad, worried, or angry sometimes. These are essential parts of being human; in fact even the most uncomfortable “negative feelings” sometimes can actually be helpful. But if you can’t tolerate another minute left alone with your feelings, feel overwhelmed, or find that your feelings are getting in the way of what is important in your life, a therapist can offer a safe place to explore what is happening and give you tools to manage better. 

2. Daily Life Feels Hard To Handle

Stress can impact your work, relationships, and even sleep. If your emotions are making it hard to concentrate, causing problems with family or friends, or keeping you from doing what you need to do each day, a therapist can help you regain balance. 

3. You’re Dealing With A Big Life Change

Big life changes—like moving, starting a new job, going through a breakup, or becoming a parent—can be tough to handle alone. Even positive changes can bring stress. A therapist can give you strategies to cope with changes and challenges in life. 

4. You Have Physical Symptoms With No Medical Cause

Emotional stress can sometimes show up as physical symptoms. These symptoms may be sudden, like when your heart begins to pound and you lose your breath seemingly out of nowhere, or they may be long lasting, like a stomach pain that just seems to hang around for months. If you’ve checked with a doctor and there’s no clear reason for these symptoms, they might be caused by stress or anxiety. Therapy can help you learn ways to manage stress and reduce these symptoms.

5. You’re Burnt Out

Sometimes you may have been working at a job that once felt meaningful, but after being there a while and seeing the same problems come up again and again, you might start to feel powerless and overwhelmed.  Maybe you are a front line public service worker, like EMS, a police officer, corrections officer, ER nurse, or in a similar position and you can’t help but be discouraged because you keep seeing the same suffering day in day out with no change.  Therapy can help you identify what is valuable to you in your career, and how to move forward.

6. Problems in Your Relationships

If you’re having a hard time connecting with others, getting into conflicts, or feeling distant from loved ones, therapy can help. Whether it’s with family, friends, or a partner, therapy gives you a safe place to work on communication and understand relationship dynamics. You can go to therapy by yourself and improve relationships with others.

7. You Feel Stuck or Unfulfilled

Sometimes life feels dull. Maybe life feels like you are living the movie Groundhog Day, waking up to the same experience over and over again. While you may feel there is nothing “wrong”, a therapist can help you explore these feelings and find ways to bring more purpose and enjoyment into your life. Often, these feelings come from wanting a change or trying to understand what’s next for you.

8. You Avoid What Matters To Escape Discomfort

We all need a break sometimes, and even the healthiest minds occasionally check out. However, there may be moments when you steer clear of things that truly matter to you because they bring up uncomfortable feelings. For instance, maybe you haven’t started that big school project because figuring out where to begin feels overwhelming. Or maybe you’re avoiding setting boundaries in a relationship because it feels uncomfortable, even though doing so would help you feel respected and understood. Working with a therapist can help you gently explore these thoughts and emotions, empowering you to live life fully. 

Now what?

Therapy is more accessible than ever. You can meet with a therapist online or in-person. And you don’t have to commit long-term—even a few sessions can be helpful. 

If any of these signs sound familiar, it may be time to reach out to a therapist. Remember, a good therapist offers a non-judgmental, honest space to explore your problems and find out if therapy is right for you.

If you’d like to know more about what therapy is like with me, take a look around my website - my About Me and Services pages might help you decide if we’d work well together.

- Scott