Weighing the Value of Therapy
When it comes to paying for anything, whether it’s a good or service, we want to know how the price matches up with the value. If it’s a good deal, we feel good about making the purchase. With therapy it can be hard to know the value, especially if you’ve never experienced it before. The areas mentioned here are not necessarily all-inclusive, but can be a good starting place to understand the many benefits therapy can have, and help in making the decision for if our prices are right for you.
First, therapy can provide a safe place to talk about literally anything, from day-to-day troubles, anxiety, sexual problems, past trauma, even thoughts of suicide. While some people may have friends or family they can reach out to, others might feel uncomfortable sharing these intimate issues out of fear it could disrupt those relationships. Therapists are trained in working with these deeply personal topics and are able to offer support in addressing them. Having a trained professional who is “outside” of your normal support system can be a great resource to safely explore the topics.
With recent disruptions in socializing due to COVID-19, people have been growing further apart and increasingly isolated from supportive social communities. While the various methods of treatment in therapy are certainly effective, recent research has shown that a critical factor in predicting successful outcomes in therapy is the therapeutic relationship - the relationship between therapist and client. Simply building a genuine connection with someone who is non-judgmental and supportive has a positive impact on how we think and feel. By experiencing this with a therapist, it becomes easier to connect on a deeper level with other important people in our lives.
Therapy can be a starting point to help broaden our perspective and reconnect.
A person’s perspective often narrows when they have been stuck in a place of distress for an extended time. Feeling’s of stress and pressure over long periods of time can put our bodies into permanent “survival mode”, where we live under constant threat within our own mind. In therapy, not only can the therapist bring a sense of safety, but they may also bring new options and perspectives to light. Simply having someone else to talk to helps to widen the window of possibilities and reevaluate other paths we can take, where we thought there was only one before.
Some of the reasons why it may be hard for people to seek help are the stigmas that keep them isolated. People are afraid of being labeled as “crazy,” “failures,” or “weak” for going to therapy. While therapy cannot directly change other people’s perception, it can change the way you view yourself. Instead of thinking of yourself as a “failure,” therapy can help you learn to accept yourself as a person who has faced adversity and come out better for it. Therapy allows you to come to peace with the reality that everyone, including yourself, has struggles in life and that there is nothing wrong with getting help to overcome those. Accepting yourself for who you are and learning self-compassion allows you to be free from the burden of self-imposed secrecy.
The effects of therapy help change your life and the lives of people around you.
Everyone can benefit from therapy, and these are just a few of the possible ways it can help you. It is a unique experience to have someone completely focused on you and your well-being, to intently listen and support you. As MFT’s, we understand that the true benefits of therapy are not limited to the individuals, couples, or families that we help. We know that improving the lives and relationships of our clients sends ripples out into their social circles, communities, and possibly further. That is why we believe in the value of therapy. If you are ready to give therapy a try, our free consultation can be your starting point.
