Mental health affects Canadians from all different walks of life. Regardless of gender, religion, age or race, studies show that roughly 1 out of 5 people will personally experience a mental health problem or illness throughout their lifetime in Canada.
Coping with mental illnesses, especially in this ever-changing atmosphere can feel lonely, confusing, and overwhelming. However, research shows that therapy can help improve symptoms of mental illnesses long-term when compared to medication or not seeking help at all.
This is because therapy actively shows people that they can address their symptoms and teaches them strategies on how they can cope and manage their mental health in the long run.
So the question you’re likely asking yourself is: do I need therapy?
Do You Need Therapy?
The concept of needing to go to therapy can be scary for some. There is a lot of stigma about the types of people who attend therapy, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with recognizing you need additional support that others in your life cannot provide you. Therapy can be incredibly beneficial for anyone who wants to work their way to living their best life but it’s extremely important to be self-aware first in order to obtain the support you need.
Whether that is stress, anxiety, PTSD, or depression, if mental health is disrupting your daily life, it may be time to look into new strategies to manage it better.
A trained professional can help identify your symptoms and develop a personalised action plan for you to address your mental health issues. It also teaches you ways to cope and gives you tools to help you manage outside of your sessions.
Consider therapy if you’ve experienced difficulties coping with family issues, end of a relationship/job, divorce, relationship issues, or parenting issues and if you would like life-long tools that will help you cope with negative feelings in the future.
When Should I Go to Therapy?
The short answer is when you’re ready to do the work to work through your emotions, transitions, or loss. Therapy requires active participation from your end and won't be much help if you are not open to change. If you’re experiencing any of the following then you may want to consider counselling:
Thinking about the issue for more than one hour per day
You feel shame for your emotions and are being avoidant
Your mental health is negatively affecting your life (work, relationships, and school)
You’ve experienced changes to accommodate the issue without addressing it
You may consider therapy if you’re feeling:
Anxiety - While some anxiety is normal, if it is disrupting your life and causing you physical discomfort, it is important to address this through counselling.
Lack of hope - While it isn’t uncommon, if it becomes more consistent it could lead to thoughts of suicide.
Fatigue - Emotions can be exhausting but if you are having trouble getting out of bed in the morning or sleeping throughout the day avoid certain aspects of your life.
Anger - While feeling angry is normal, it does become an issue when you’ve become irritable and are lashing out with your loved ones.
Numbness - This can feel like losing passion for things you are typically passionate about. If this persists, it can lead to depression.
Withdrawn - Some people who are experiencing mental health issues remove themselves from their social groups to avoid being a burden. Some may fear others do not care or understand what you’re going through. This is where a counsellor can step in to fill that gap.
Curious- You don’t have to be in a bad situation to begin therapy. Some people start when they are in a good place. Therapy is a great wait to gain insight to apply when in a less optimal mindset in the future.
It’s important to note that therapy is not best suited for individuals experiencing a crisis or an immediate threat of suicide. If this is the case, we encourage you to call a suicide hotline at 1.833.456.4566. However, a counsellor can help you with passing suicidal thoughts once you are no longer experiencing a crisis.
What Are the Benefits of Therapy?
Therapy can be incredibly rewarding for individuals who decide to put the work into confronting their issues. It is not always an easy fix, but incredibly rewarding in the long run.
The end goal for all therapists is to teach you how to cope better when things go south. This way you are more equipped with knowledge about yourself and what you need to get through hard times in your life.
Therapy also allows you the safe space to learn so much about yourself which can result in you creating better goals, making better decisions and recognizing your strengths and values which ultimately will help you lead a better life.
While some worry about the cost of therapy, a lot of employers will cover it under their health benefits and I encourage you to explore this as an option. For those without insurance, another option is to ask for sliding scale therapy.
It is always a good idea to get to know your counsellor and what they specialise in before committing to therapy full time. After all, getting along with your counsellor is part of successful sessions.
Final Thoughts
We live in a world that doesn’t always give the best advice and doesn’t support us in ways we need. Sometimes, we have been so out of touch with our feelings for so long that it is hard to even recognize what we feel.
When these emotions become manifestations in our physical bodies and begin to interfere with the quality of our daily lives, it may be beneficial to consider speaking with a professional.
A counsellor can help you untangle some of the confusion negative feelings may cause and pack away any negativity you may be holding on to from the past.
Understanding these emotions and gaining clarity about them ultimately helps you set better goals, position yourself for success and give you the tools necessary to build a life you can be proud of.
It helps you move forward in life with a better understanding of who you are, and new coping strategies for any challenges you may face in the future.
At Sana Counselling we offer every new client a free consultation to see how we can help, and if we are a good fit for you. Get in touch today if you are interested in in-person or online counselling.
