How can Psychotherapy help me? Here are 5 ways!

Historically, psychotherapy, counselling and medications have been considered treatments reserved for severe mental health issues, and there has been a lot of shame associated with needing to reach out for this kind of help. 😳

Some of us are still affected by this outdated view, but the societal attitude about seeking support is finally changing! More and more people are openly and proudly seeking the support of a psychotherapist to heal past wounds, learn better skills to cope, and to improve their overall wellbeing. There are even t-shirts being made that say "Therapy is cool"! So what is psychotherapy, anyway? 🤔

Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that involves talking with a mental health professional (Registered Social Worker, Registered Psychotherapist or Psychologist) to help you understand and manage your emotions, behaviours, and overall mental health. It's based on the idea that talking about your problems with a trained professional can help you gain insight, develop coping skills, and make positive changes in your life.

Here are some reasons why psychotherapy can be helpful for you! 

1) It provides a safe and supportive environment 🛟
Psychotherapy provides a safe and supportive environment where you can express your feelings, thoughts, and concerns without fear of being judged or criticized. Therapists are trained to provide you with a non-judgmental and compassionate space for you to explore your thoughts and emotions.
2) It can help you gain insight and self-awareness 💭
Through therapy, you can gain insight into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This increased self-awareness can help you better understand yourself, your relationships, and your life experiences. It can also help you identify patterns of behavior that may be contributing to your struggles.
3) It teaches coping skills 🧘🏽‍♀️
Psychotherapy can help you develop coping skills to manage your emotions and deal with stressful situations. This can include learning relaxation techniques, self-compassion, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral strategies to reframe distressing thoughts and beliefs.
4) It can improve relationships 💖
Therapy can help you improve your communication skills and develop healthier, more connected relationships. By gaining insight into your own behaviour and emotions, as well as your loved ones' behaviours and emotions, you can better understand and empathize with yourself and others.
5) It can improve your overall well-being 😁
Psychotherapy can help improve your overall sense of well-being by reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It can also help you build resilience, increase compassion and develop a sense of purpose and meaning in your life.

In summary, psychotherapy and counselling can be a helpful tool for improving mental health and overall well-being. It provides a safe and supportive environment for exploring your thoughts and emotions, gaining insight and self-awareness, learning coping skills, improving relationships, and reducing symptoms of mental health issues. If any of these benefits speak to you, I encourage you to consider connecting with a psychotherapist! 

-Kristie & the team 🌈