10 Reasons Why Therapy Is for Everyone

By Vivian Lee Nho, RP(Q), Auren Wellness

Therapy is often thought of as something for a crisis, or for other people. Here are ten reasons it belongs in an ordinary life.

1. We all carry pain we don't talk about

We all inevitably experience existential angst, discomfort, distress, confusion, fear, sadness and pain. We often feel too ashamed, scared or worried about burdening others to talk about it. Or we have learned to deeply bury, compartmentalize, mask or deny these emotions and thoughts to cope and survive. It is human nature to do what we have to do to reduce mental discomfort, and that instinct can lead people toward self-destructive patterns. Therapy helps people through the hardest of challenges.

2. Our relationships shape our wellbeing

The quality and strength of our primary relationships are crucial to wellbeing because we are relational beings. We all want to feel happy and fulfilled, and mutually valued, meaningful, close relationships are arguably necessary for that. The quality and strength of relationships depend on a sense of connection, trust, acceptance and understanding.

3. Hard seasons come for everyone

We are all bound to endure difficult life events, losses and transitions that can devastate our spirit, call our identity and worth into question, shatter our dreams and turn our lives upside down. Feeling consistently supported, accepted and understood can lessen the overwhelm, increase hope and improve your daily functioning during these times. Professional support can bolster your innate resilience.

4. We absorb beliefs that hold us back

It is very common to internalize negative beliefs about ourselves, others and the world through upbringing, traumatic experiences, culture, gender, race and countless other interacting factors. This can result in distorted perceptions and self-imposed limitations that block personal achievement, creativity, motivation and growth.

5. Being truly seen is powerful

Everyone wants to feel seen, heard, respected, appreciated, loved and validated to some degree, but our experiences and environments can make this difficult or seemingly unattainable. No matter how self-aware we think we are, our brains are biased, with blind spots, oversimplification, rumination and black-and-white thinking. Negativity bias is particularly relevant in depression, while overestimating threat is a common thought pattern behind high levels of anxiety.

Good friends and family can absolutely be comforting, but their desire to protect you or ease your troubles can sometimes leave you feeling worse, regretful or burdensome. When someone deeply cares for you, their instinct may be to solve your problems or change you. A therapist undergoes extensive learning, training and self-reflection to help people reach their goals. Being seen for who you truly are can be very powerful in healing the parts of yourself that feel broken.

6. Childhood follows us into adulthood

Our childhood experiences, and how our primary caregivers treated us growing up, have a profound and lasting impact in adulthood. Freud may be overrated in places, but he founded psychoanalysis for a reason: he recognized that making the unconscious conscious, and expressing yourself freely through conversation, is integral to reducing both mental and physical symptoms, and to becoming a psychologically mature, self-regulating, self-aware adult.

7. Repair matters more than fixing

All of us would be better off knowing how to repair ourselves and our relationships. We tend to try to fix our problems, but many problems can't be fixed. They can, however, be seen in new ways that increase our understanding, tolerance and acceptance of them. Therapy offers perspectives that help with managing both internal and interpersonal conflict.

8. Change starts one person at a time

Many of the struggles we see in the wider world are rooted in very human tendencies like selfishness, jealousy, insecurity and judgement, and no one is exempt from having them. The work done in therapy is not just about improving one person's mental health. It is about making the world a little happier and safer through individual psychological change.

9. Therapy is more accessible than ever

The accessibility and convenience of therapy keeps growing. Cost is a real barrier for many people, but there are more options than many people realize: workplace benefits, sliding-scale spots, and lower-cost programs through training clinics and community services. If you have a device that connects to the internet, therapy can reach you. Our guide to low-cost and sliding-scale therapy in Ottawa covers what is available locally.

10. The right therapist is out there

There is every kind of therapist available now. With a little searching, and sometimes some trial and error, most people can find someone who genuinely understands and helps them. A therapist will not wave a wand and heal you right away. The real work of change is ultimately done by you, once you have the self-awareness, strategies and tools. The fit matters, and it is worth looking until you find it.

If you have been curious about therapy, a free 15-minute consultation is an easy first step. Book a consultation with our team. No commitment, no pressure.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for individualized assessment or therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency or immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency department.