If you’re feeling on the fence about whether to dedicate time and resources to high-quality therapy at this time in your life, you are not alone. According to a recent OnePoll survey, 1 in 6 Americans started therapy for the first time in 2020, joining the roughly 15% who were already receiving therapy services.

While you may be concerned that seeking treatment is a sign of weakness, I can honestly attest that those I see in the counseling space are some of the most in-touch, intelligent and open individuals you could meet. So, putting aside any lingering shame you may be feeling, let’s do an overview of some really great reasons why you may be interested in mental health counseling.

Self-investment: Therapy provides a dedicated, consistent time in your schedule, where you can access the accountability and support to gain new skills. These skills allow you to improve the quality of your everyday life, as you will experience in your career, family, physical health, etc.

Self-discovery: Within this unique holding space, you have the freedom to explore your patterns, your past, your needs and your dreams without interruption or restriction. Understanding the “why” behind your behaviors helps you feel more in control and actually helps you understand others better, as well.

Improved mood: Taking charge of the thoughts and beliefs that have you feeling anxious, depressed or frustrated allows you more energy and clarity of mind to pursue the goals that actually matter most to you. And knowing how to use mind-body techniques effectively can speed up recovery in this area.

Healthy relationships: Expert guidance can help you quickly diagnose common mistakes and create a clear and achievable roadmap to significantly more satisfying romantic relationships. If you are already in a long term relationship, couples counseling offers a neutral space to remedy unwanted stress in communication and connection.

Better boundaries: Learning how to confidently communicate your expectations and boundaries leads to less confusion for others in knowing how to treat you. It also reinforces your own sense of self-respect!

Post traumatic growth: There’s a power that comes from truly knowing that- not only are you are more than the worst thing that ever happened to you, but you can transform that hurt into something meaningful for yourself and your future.

Re-Integration of the self: This sounds fancy, but it’s simply about returning back to who you are and owning your full identity. This practice is especially important after a major life transition, like a relocation or divorce, where you will benefit from feeling grounded, safe and whole.

You may find yourself identifying with one, or two, or even everything on this list! The important thing to note is that whoever you choose to work with as a counselor, you will have the best results if they are both highly skilled AND you feel that you have a genuine connection. When you find these qualities in a therapist and experience them within a non-judgmental space, it’ll have you wondering why you waited so long to get started!