by Meg Tenny, MS, LCMFT
Like other things in life, therapy is as beneficial for you as the effort you put into it. Therapy can help you improve your emotional quality of life in a variety of areas.
1. Processing Your Feelings: Talking to a therapist can help you to cope with difficult life transitions and work through negative feelings so that you can move forward in your life. The therapist asks thought-provoking questions to support you in considering issues more comprehensively and to help you get emotionally “unstuck.” The simple act of talking about your problems regularly to a validating and non-judgmental person goes a long way towards helping you accept and progress through challenging life events
2. Resolving Family Issues: A therapist can provide a safe environment for your couple unit or family to come to agreements, as well as air grievances openly, with the goal of having a more peaceful marriage and family life. A therapist is often considered a “neutral” professional who can help people manage their emotions in session and communicate their needs to one another more effectively. There is a great benefit in speaking to a therapist because they represent someone who is outside of the family. Therapists are trained to assist you with these issues and can facilitate conversations between family members.
3. Achieving Necessary Change: Going to a therapist can help you identify your behavioral and emotional goals, cut out bad habits, and replace them with new, healthier patterns. There may also be an opportunity to work on being your “authentic self,” that is, your true self. You know you have achieved this goal when your words match your actions and you feel you have become the best version of yourself.
