According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2017, an estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. Approximately 35% of adults with major depressive disorder did not receive treatment.
In 2018, it was reported that 46% of Americans had seen a mental health professional at some point in their lives. Those Americans reported having positive experiences with therapy services in regards to facing traumas, building stronger mental health practices, engaging in better relationships and changing destructive thought patterns.
Unfortunately, there are still plenty of Americans who choose not to seek therapy, perhaps because they are afraid of the stigma, or because they are unsure that seeing a mental health professional is right for them.
Here are 5 reasons you should go to therapy:
1. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger about your problems than someone that you know.
Mental health professionals are trained to actively listen to what you are saying without judgment. You don’t need to worry about what they will think because it is a judgment-free environment. It is a safe space.
2. You will learn that you are not "crazy" or alone.
Talking to a professional will let you know that you are not alone in your battle. Millions of other people face similar problems each day and simply knowing that fact can help.
3. The effects of therapy are long-term.
The things that you learn in therapy are forever. Even if you are not actively seeing a therapist, the skills that you learn from therapy can be practiced and applied throughout your life.
4. You will learn things about yourself and others.
Therapy will help you discover more about yourself, your behaviors, your thought patterns, and why you are who you are. It will also help you put yourself in other people’s shoes and understand their perspective a little better.
5. Mental health professionals are educated, licensed, and trained to do this!
They know what to listen for. They can teach you proper coping mechanisms or introduce you to resources that can help.
I hope these reasons encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and take the first step towards better mental health. To help you find a licensed therapist in your area visit https://www.goodtherapy.org/
With Love,
Sherin
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