Whether you’re in group therapy, individual therapy, or couples therapy, there’s plenty anyone can learn from time spent with a therapist. With increasing awareness of mental health struggles among children, adolescents, and adults, it’s no wonder that there’s also been an uptick in those who are making use of the powerful tool that is the therapeutic relationship. This is especially true when we consider the fact that finding a great therapist is so accessible—all you have to do is go to your favorite search engine and type in “Therapy Group of NYC” or a similar phrase.
With that said, what are the benefits of therapy? There are a great deal of answers to this question, but let’s take a look at a few of the most common benefits that people find when they incorporate a therapeutic relationship into their lives.
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1. Gain insight into childhood events
Everyone has events in their past that they may need to clarify or to heal from. While no one can take back the past, exploring themes from childhood can be a great place to see things in a new way and enjoy the strength that comes with closure, and perhaps even forgiveness.
2. Learn how to set boundaries effectively
Boundaries are hard, especially with people who challenge them consistently. We all have people in our lives who make it necessary to set boundaries and enforce them vigilantly. Learning to take care of your mental health, identify triggers, and set boundaries that keep you safe is a major strength that you can gain when meeting with a therapist.
3. Investigate troubling thoughts in a safe place
Those who struggle with identity may have troubling thoughts running through their mind as a result of experiencing rejection or anger from the people nearest to them. This is especially common for folks from within the LGBTQ community or those who have a gender identity that differs from the gender they were assigned at birth. That being said, troubling thoughts can run through anyone’s mind, LGBTQ or not. Therapists are trained to be non-judgmental, and having a safe place within which to explore these thoughts and their triggers is a huge relief for many people.
4. Diagnose mental health disorders
Therapists can also diagnose mental health disorders, like anxiety disorders or OCD. Although only a psychiatrist can prescribe medication to treat something like OCD, a therapist can help develop skills to work through a challenging situation that may arise as a result of a mental health disorder. In addition, a group therapist can facilitate a group therapy session or support group in which you can share the common challenges associated with these disorders and build community.
5. Learn how to cope with stressful situations in daily life
Life is stressful for everybody, and taking the time out to figure out how to cope with stressful situations in a healthy way will make your overall quality of life better. Issues like emotion regulation and social anxiety can be debilitating and hold you back from success in your career and otherwise. Without healthy emotional regulation and social skills, people often turn to substance use and struggle with sobriety. It’s far better to gain the strength from either an individual therapist or group sessions.
Whether you struggle with feelings of shame, issues surrounding body image, or a challenge when it comes to social skills or social anxiety, all of these can be addressed in therapy. These and many similar challenges can be faced and managed, as long as you have a willingness to go through the hard times and come out stronger on the other side. There’s no one form of psychotherapy out there, and as long as you do your due diligence, you’re sure to find the therapist for you.
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