In today’s fast-paced world, the challenges of daily life can often feel overwhelming and cause us to struggle with stress, anxiety, etc. Choosing to undergo professional therapy is a major way for us to handle these issues that affects our mental health.

Therapy offers a supportive space to explore these issues and develop healthy ways to cope with them.

In this blogpost, we will consider what professional therapy entails, signs you should see a therapist and its benefits.

                      Professional Therapy

Professional Therapy or Talk therapy is a mental health treatment where you meet with a mental health professional usually called a therapist, to discuss about your own struggles, feelings, etc., that affect your mental health and receive support and advice from them on how to handle these issues.

In a therapy session, you and your therapist have a conversation in a safe space where you can unload your honest feelings and emotions without fear of being judged. Your therapist not only listens to you but also recommend healthy ways you can handle those situations.

 

ALSO READ: 4 Misconceptions about Mental Health as a Nigerian

 

                11 Signs You Need to See a Therapist

Here are some signs that it is time for you to consider professional therapy:

  1. You are feeling depressed.
  2. You feel stressed and anxious.
  3. You are experiencing changes in your life like a divorce, new job, etc.
  4. You are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
  5. You feel a sense of helplessness and hopelessness in your life.
  6. You find it difficult to balance the demands of your personal life and your work.
  7. You have a mental health disorder like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, ADHD, etc.
  8. You have low self-esteem.
  9. You are experiencing conflicts in your relationships.
  10. You are experiencing trauma e.g., rape trauma, childhood trauma, etc.
  11. You are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

These and many more are some of the signs that you should consider seeing a therapist.

 

ALSO READ : The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Therapy as a Nigerian

 

                      Where Can You Find a Therapist

Your therapist must be someone who has actually been trained. Just because a person is good at giving advice, does not mean him/her is a therapist

To find a qualified therapist for yourself, you may need to visit mental health organizations and centers.

You can also search online for qualified therapists. A good mental health organization where you can find qualified therapists is Mycarebuddy.

Our therapists are highly trained to listen and proffer guidance and solutions to your situations and challenges.

Whether you want to undergo online therapy or face-to-face therapy, we are more than happy to help. You can book your first appointment here.

Things to Know When You Decide to Undergo Therapy

If you have never seen a therapist, you might feel overwhelmed about seeing one. However, it is not as difficult as it sounds.

In fact, seeing a therapist can be one of the best things you can do for your overall well-being so you should not be afraid or anxious about it. Here are some things to know when you decide to undergo therapy –

  • You will be asked questions that would encourage you to talk about yourself and identify your problem. These questions are not to mock or embarrass you.
  • Your discussion with your therapist is a confidential one so do not be afraid of being judged.
  • Your therapist is there to provide a listening ear so feel free to talk about your struggles, emotions and feelings.
  • Your problem or reason for attending therapy would not be solved on the first session. Therapy is an ongoing process not an instant problem solver.

 

   5 Benefits of Professional Therapy to You

Some of the numerous benefits of therapy are:

1. It helps you to understand your situation and develop healthy coping mechanisms to handle them-

For example, through therapy, you can learn how to cope with situations like grief, divorce in a way that is healthy and not self-sabotaging.

  1. It helps you build and maintain a better relationship with your partner, family, children and your friends-

For example, if you are facing some conflicts in your relationship with your partner, therapy can help you understand and handle the situation in a better way.

  1. Therapy can increase your self-awareness and self-esteem-

In therapy, you look deeply into yourself and your beliefs. You also get to reflect and analyze your actions and words with the guidance of your therapist.

The result of these is that you become more self-aware and connected to your inner self.

  1. Therapy will help you treat your mental health disorders-

According to the WHO, one in eight people in the world have a mental health disorder. This is why therapy is very important.

In therapy, your therapist will guide you and help you treat your mental health concerns using recognized mental health techniques.

  1. Undergoing Therapy will increase your productivity at work-

Therapy is a good way to address all the stress from work and prevent burnout.

In therapy, you learn different ways on how you can strike a balance between your work and your life without getting burnout.

                        Take Your First Step

Therapy is not a one-time thing but attending a therapy session can be your first step towards healing, finding balance and recovery.

This is why Mycarebuddy in collaboration with the Happiness Center will be hosting a professional therapy session along with other self-care activities on 5th October 2024. It will hold between the hours of 4pm-6pm at the Happiness Center, 320 Akin Ogunlewe street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Register here and attend your first therapy session.

                         Conclusion

Working with a therapist is one of the best decisions you can make for your life. It will help you develop a better and stronger relationship with yourself and your loved one. It will also help you build resilience and emotional stability.