Why Asking for Therapy is a Superpower!

May is Mental Health Awareness month and raising awareness starts with you. Did you know that asking for therapy is one of the best things you can do for yourself or a family member? You might even call it a superpower! Think about it: you wouldn’t hesitate to treat a physical illness like a broken bone. Mental health is no different!

Therapy is an opportunity to explore who you are while taking control of your own mental health and wellness. Here are some key reasons why asking for therapy can be so worthwhile...

1. Therapy empowers you to take control of your own health and wellness.
   You have the control to find peace within yourself and prioritize your well being—and therapy may be that first step! There is a misconception that therapy is only meant for individuals in crisis, when in reality, therapy can be great for self exploration and as an outlet as you navigate your daily life as well.

2. Therapy works towards breaking the stigma.
   Seeking therapy for your own well being will allow those around you to feel more comfortable in doing the same for themselves if they need it. Normalize therapy! Your willingness to seek out therapy might just be the step that someone else around you needs to seek out his or her own help as well. Think about all of the people in your life that you can inspire!

3. Therapy teaches you how to be vulnerable.
   The therapeutic space provides an opportunity to practice your vulnerability in a safe environment. Vulnerability may be something that you struggle with and it’s (understandably) not always the easiest to feel comfortable exploring it. However through therapy, you’ll learn to get comfortable being uncomfortable and you’ll be able to embrace vulnerable parts of yourself.

4. Therapy teaches you practical skills!
   Did you know that therapy can offer you concrete skills to help you tolerate distress, regulate your emotions, and live a happier life overall? Talk is a big part of the therapeutic process, but it oftentimes misconstrued as being the ONLY part of therapy. Therapy is an opportunity to fill your toolbox with coping skills to help navigate any obstacle that life might throw at you!

5. Therapy teaches you to tolerate discomfort which ultimately helps you grow.
   Learning to endure difficulty and manage distress allows you to become stronger, more resilient, and more adaptable. It’s a great opportunity to grow. Therapy offers a space to feel safe in facing the discomfort. Then, you can apply what you’ve learned to your day-to-day life.

Although May is only one month out of the year, raising awareness around mental health is something that can be done every single day. Seeking therapy is just one way to do so.

Therapy is oftentimes misunderstood. Many believe individuals seek out therapy in times of weakness, but really it is a demonstration of tremendous strength and courage.