Let's Start Normalizing Therapy

I have worked in the mental health field for several years and by doing so I became numb to the idea that I "need help too." Being in the mental health field meant that I was supposed to help other people with their problems and not acknowledge mine. I thought I was supposed to have all the answers and I was being selfish if I thought about my problems while offering help to others. Listening to clients talk about their problems was not supposed to impact me. However, it did and now I finally realize that I needed help too. I needed to know that someone was in my corner.

At first, I was afraid of going to therapy. There seemed to be the looming stigma that I (working in the mental health field) needed to go to therapy. If I were to go to therapy, it meant that I was messed up as well. The thought of "how could I possible help others if I needed help too" raced through my mind when trying to decide if therapy was the best solution. However, when I realized how much stress work caused me, I knew it was time to do something different.

When I walked into the lobby to begin therapy, I was a nervous train wreck. My palms were sweating, and I could feel my pulse quicken. "What was I doing?" This thought came into my head at least ten times before my therapist came out and got me from the waiting room.

The first session was uncomfortable in the sense that she was trying to get to know me and why I was seeking therapy. Not that I had a good answer for her at the time. It was a bunch of routine questions that I was used to (since I asked my patients the same ones.) However, by the end of the session, I knew I made the right decision and I looked forward to the next session.

I have friends who believe that therapy is hocus pocus. They believe that I lay on a couch every other week and answer the question "how does that make you feel". I told them that I do not lay on the couch and never once has my therapist asked, "how does that make you feel." They laughed, but to this day I do not think they believe me. However, we need to stop the stigma of therapy and realize that what is shown in movies is not 100 percent accurate.

Unfortunately, many people do not pursue therapy because of the stigma even though they are going through tough times. Going to therapy does not mean you are crazy, or you are weak. In fact, many people who pursue therapy do not have a serious mental illness. Instead, they are experiencing life challenges or going through difficult transitions which can make it hard to cope. These can include career struggles, academic struggles, relationship/friendship conflicts, ect.

Most people experience some sort of difficulty in their life. Therapy is designed to teach positive coping skills and is a safe environment. It is a way to feel supported in life. Ultimately, therapy is a great way to invest in yourself and your emotional and physical wellbeing. Asking for help can be tough, but it is a sign of bravery, not weakness.

I highly recommend everyone go to therapy. Even if you do not think you need it. Trust me. You probably do. It can be difficult to ask for help, even admitting it can be challenging. However, it is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of bravery.