FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY®

When to Go to Therapy: 15 Reasons Why

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by Cassidy Brydon, FAU Graduate Student | Thursday, Oct 10, 2019

Taking that first step to go to therapy may be intimidating, but many people find benefits in attending sessions. You may be thinking, I don’t need therapy. I don’t have a problem. In reality, therapy is not just for people who have problems. Therapy is a great place to talk about life with someone who can help you understand what’s going on without being biased. Yes, some people go to therapy for disorders or problems but others go as a means of finding support, of having someone to talk to. Below you will find 15 different reasons to go to therapy. You really just need one.

 

  1. You feel like you are “not yourself.”

When you don’t feel like yourself or your mind is telling you something is different, something is off. Finding yourself with a therapist or licensed counselor may be the best way for you to get back to you.

  1. You’ve lost someone important to you.

Losing someone important to you to death, separation, break-ups, or just distance is very hard. A therapist or licensed counselor can help you through the grieving process and assist in helping you appreciate the people you still have. 

  1. You’ve lost something important to you.

Losing something is different from losing someone. Losing opportunities, dreams, goals, homes, beliefs, ideals, and more are just as difficult as losing a person. Allowing someone to help you deal with that grief and learning how to move forward is extremely healthy.

  1. You’ve experienced something traumatic.

Traumatic experiences can be very difficult to cope with alone. Whatever trauma this may be, knowing you have someone to help you process the event and learn to grow from it reduces the risk of developing disorders or future issues because of the trauma. 

  1. You’re not enjoying things you used to.

If you are having difficulty finding happiness in your daily life, it may be time to consider therapy. A therapist may help you find something new to enjoy or help you understand why you’re not enjoying the things you used to enjoy.

  1. You’re very easily distracted and struggle to concentrate.

Difficulty concentrating is a symptom of many disorders. This simply may be due to having too much on your mind at one time or could be something more. Allowing a therapist or licensed counselor to help you develop tools to concentrate better will greatly assist you in the long run.

  1. You want someone to talk to.

Having someone to talk to about life can be such a relief. Going through your day and talking to friends or significant others or family members might not be what is best for you or them. A therapist or licensed counselor will listen, help, and give you time to just talk. 

  1. You feel alone.

Feeling lonely is a perfectly fine reason to go to therapy. Sometimes feeling alone, no matter how much support you have, can be indicative of something being wrong. Going to therapy and having that person can help you feel less alone and maybe help you start recognizing the people you do have.

  1. You’re overwhelmed.

As busy college students, feeling overwhelmed might seem normal. As much as it is normal, it can also be very difficult to deal with and push through. A therapist or licensed counselor may act as a teacher of sorts to help you avoid getting overwhelmed and also give you tools to deal with that overwhelmed feeling. 

  1. You feel like your quality of life has decreased.

This may be a more nuanced idea. Feeling like your life is worse or you’re just not happy with your life may be reason enough to go to therapy. Your counselor or therapist can help you understand your feelings and what to do about them.

  1. You’re abusing drugs, alcohol, food, or sex.

If you are abusing substances, food, or sex, then attending therapy, counseling, or group therapy may assist in your development of healthier relationships with such things. 

  1. You feel stressed or anxious.

Feeling stressed or anxious at any level is a good reason to go to therapy. Attending therapy sessions may help you reduce your stress or anxiety by developing stress management skills or just by talking about your stressors.

  1. You feel depressed or excessively sad.

Experiencing excessive sadness or depressive feelings is a very good reason to go to therapy. A therapist may assist you in dealing with your emotions and assist in developing your emotional tool box. 

  1. You are struggling in a relationship, friendship, or with family.

Interpersonal struggles can be difficulties communicating, arguing a lot, drama, or abuse (physical or emotional). When it comes to the people you care about, working with a therapist or licensed counselor on yourself and your relationships could greatly benefit both parties. 

  1. You just want to go to therapy.

There is nothing wrong with just wanting to go to therapy. Getting help or support for an issue or struggle is great but wanting to go just to go is good too. Sometimes going to therapy when everything is “good” helps you discover more about yourself and helps you cope when things are not “good.”

Therapy is an amazing resource for anyone. It might be a little scary or intimidating or silly to some; but, the benefits are just too good not to at least try. FAU offers free counseling services through their Counseling and Psychological Services office. A free appointment is available to you anytime at (561) 297-3540.

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