The Light Side Of Therapy (Because It’s Not Always Hard)

It may be tempting to overlook therapy as a helpful means to reaching goals, even if you are seeing signs that it could be beneficial in your life.

You may have heard the messaging that it is hard or just for people who are unwell or have a mental illness.

Maybe you feel embarrassed to take that next step, or don’t quite understand all the benefits of therapy – even for those who are getting through life alright.

Read More: “From Chaos To Clarity: How Therapy Can Help You Navigate Life’s Transitions”

If you are feeling unsure about therapy, it could be time to look at the science behind it.

Therapy is a science-backed approach that can have life-changing impacts.

According to Mental Health America, the limbic system in our brain plays a role in how we can change the structure of our brain with therapy.

Our life experiences can impact our brain in a phenomenon called neuroplasticity, and there is scientific research that proves therapy can also change our brains in a positive way.

At this point, you may be thinking that you have friends who can help, medications you can take, or even coping strategies in place already.

We get it, and we aren’t trying to convince you otherwise. The science of therapy is one more way to look at an approach that could improve the quality of your life.

According to the American Psychological Association or APA, therapy can reduce disability, mortality, improve work functioning, and decrease psychological hospitalization.

In a different study within APA, it was proven that even after 6 months, people who attend therapy saw long-term impacts like fewer relapses with depression and anxiety.

Talking through problems can help to resolve problems through ways of doing, being or working through that might be a new perspective or approach for you.

Therapy can also help you to gain insights about yourself and the world around you.

Through therapy, you can work with a mental health therapist to look at life experiences so that you can lessen the chance of repeating patterns that are no longer serving you.

Read More: “Considering Therapy? Here’s What You Should Look For When Choosing A Therapist For You.”

If you find yourself in similar interpersonal relationships, work situations, or befriending the same type of people; you may want to think about what life experience led you to that point.

Therapy can be a powerful tool to help get you there.

Some Benefits of Mental Health Therapy

Therapy can be beneficial in many ways; however here are a few of the most overlooked ways that therapy can help you:

In therapy, you get a space to be seen and heard without judgement.

This is a big deal for anyone and can be for everyone.

Even if you have truly supportive friends, a therapist is a professional to help you feel seen with total safety.

If you grew up in a family that gave unsolicited advice or didn’t accept you, therapy can help you to reinvent boundaries and maintain them.

By doing this type of work now, you can eliminate problems later.

In therapy, you can gain insights about other people (and yourself). 

Sure, therapy is about you. The way you interact with others is also about you.

Therapy can help you to see how you impact others, which can mean that you see why someone else may act how they do in a certain situation.

Therapy can help you to build empathy and see patterns more clearly, both in yourself and in others.

According to Denver therapist, Julie Reichenberger, “when we learn the impact of how we show up in relationships impact these relationships, we gain insights into change we are capable of making to improve connection and understanding.”

Most people are well-intended, regardless of how they come across. Our stories and the ways we’ve learned to protect ourselves, can actually get in the way of connecting and understanding ourselves and others.

Therapy can help shed light on these missed connections and misunderstandings in relationships.

The work of therapy isn’t always hard. 

Yes, it can be a challenge to look at yourself and change accordingly.

Read More: “Understanding EMDR Therapy and Ways It Can Support You on Your Healing Journey”

There can also be really enlightening, fun sessions with your therapist.

You may laugh, learn how to love, and find a willingness to explore topics that you weren’t ready to navigate before you started therapy.

This all comes with the territory, and you can give yourself permission to enjoy the experience too.

Therapy is a place for you to explore your values – what is most important to you – and learn strategies for making changes and shifts in your life that are aligned with what you want.

Therapy is a step forward, even when it feels, at times, you are looking back.

Sometimes, what’s behind us, is unknowingly, keeping us stuck in patterns that don’t serve us.

Therapy can help with this.

It is true that therapy is a science-backed, evidenced-based tool that can lead to long-term impacts in your life. And yet, you still may be resistant to take a next step.

One of the best truths about therapy is that there are therapists who are available for you when you are ready.

Therapy can be a safe space to share about sexuality, racism, generational patterns, abuse, substance use, and more.

It can also be a time when you get to explore topics that are a little more light-hearted.

Empower yourself by taking time to find a therapist who aligns with your values, beliefs, and how you’d like therapy to go for you.

At Denver Metro Counseling, our Denver-based clinical team are available to help when you are ready to take the next step.

We have therapists who support teens, young adults, and adults with their mental health.

We help people navigate challenges, identify goals, and become clear on their values to help them live a fulfilling life through making lasting change.

You are worth it.

Written by: Randi Thackeray, MA
Clinically Reviewed and Edited by: Julie Reichenberger, MA, LPC, ACS, NCC