DO I NEED HELP?
By Jessica Revels| Durham Counseling, Therapy
Talking to a professional can help you change the way you think and feel about your life. Therapy can provide a greater sense of personal meaning, address lack of motivation, reduce anxiety, improve relationships, and promote physical wellness.
(American Psychological Association APA research update).
It’s hard to know whether to start therapy
Can I do this on my own?
Is there a great book out there?
What about talking to a good friend?
Can my medical doctor address this?
There are brilliant resources out there to guide problem solving. Those sources, however, aren’t tailored (or using proven mental health interventions) to your personal experience. Often, sources of support offer too much information, aren’t neutral, or want to get on with the feel good solution.
Therapy is a good choice:
Fun things don’t bring the same enjoyment. Usual activities feel meaningless. You are thinking, “Is this all there is?” You would rather be alone. These may be signs of depression that can be treated with professional counseling.
Your body is talking to you. You are having more frequent headaches or unexplained stomach aches. Your jaw muscles are sore. Your sleep is disturbed. You feel “revved up” all the time. These are often symptoms of anxiety that may be eased with researched techniques learned in therapy.
You’ve experienced a life change or traumatic event. Whether you have been in a car accident, finished graduate school, lost a loved one, or broken up with your partner, you have experienced an intense life event. You find yourself constantly reliving past memories or ruminating about certain conversations. Moving beyond trauma symptoms (mild, moderate, or major) requires specialized treatment. Addressing what is coming up now means heading off bigger problems down the road.
Licensed therapists are trained (for years) in a variety of proven techniques to address mental and emotional health. Therapy provides a safe space to be yourself and address mood concerns, relationship problems, stress, and self-doubt.
This is your life, and it’s important.
Jessica is a therapist helping individuals and couples in Durham, NC. Want to discuss how therapy may help? jessica@jrevelscounseling.com 919.308.6039