When you are motivated to change and improve your life, there are a myriad of avenues within your reach to help you get there. In today’s hyper-connected world, you probably rely on a wide range of solutions to help meet life’s goals – everything from accountability apps, to self-help books, to online support groups, to life coaches – especially if you are serious about a shift in life.

The option that may not immediately come to mind or may present some further questions about how it could help, is therapy. You’ve probably asked yourself, “How will this strategy help me realize my goals and dreams and more importantly, “Is therapy right for me?”

Center for Shared Insight, PC is here to help you by offering some common indications you can use to evaluate this important decision:

The problem isn’t going away

If you’ve been considering a change or recognizing the need to do something different for a length of time, it might be especially important to involve a neutral, professional third party, such as a therapist. It’s natural to try and overcome relationship issues, career problems, anxiety, or issues with boundaries on your own first. However, if the challenge persists, gets worse, or starts to affect other areas of your life, it’s time to employ the support of an experienced psychologist. Change happens more successfully with the guidance and accountability of a well-matched therapist.

Friends and family can only do so much

A common objection to therapy might occur when you have a supportive family or network of friends that you can rely on when personal challenges arise. Like many others, you may have thought, “Why would I pay to talk to a therapist when I can get the same from a friend for free?”.

While this is a valid question, the truth is that friends and family reach a limit with the amount they can help - in bandwidth, patience and in expertise with various issues that may potentially negatively influence your health, career path, and relationships. Plus, when you are working with a psychologist to overcome problems, you have more energy and focus to really show up as a friend, sister, son, spouse – whatever roles you play in your life – instead of burdening friends and family with the same story and struggles.

You need an objective voice

Friends and family are always friends and family first. They will agree with you, tell you what you want to hear, and support you. These conversations are also influenced by family and relationship dynamics - they are not objective. Rarely will they challenge you or hold you accountable like a therapist will. Not to mention, they know your history, your tendencies, and they come to expect them and the status quo; whereas, therapists can evaluate and provide guidance on your situation from a neutral, objective, results-driven place.

If you are trying to decide on a specific therapist, watch my 3-minute youtube video about the criteria to consider when selecting a therapist, including:

• Listening to your intuition

• Evaluating personality

• Considering location

• Understanding theoretical orientation

• Reviewing experience and qualifications

Therapists can help you understand your feelings, resolve the past, and view your challenges from a different perspective. The value of a therapist also includes helping you determine next steps in the moments you want to quit.

You’ll better understand yourself

Therapists will help you overcome the problems that keep you up at night – from the quality of your relationships to doubts about your self worth. Furthermore, therapists can help you better understand who you are and what you want. They can assist in helping you clarify your own personal values, needs, and goals.

Sometimes it might even be hard to understand what is making you unhappy or unfulfilled, and psychologists can help you uncover the real issues that might be limiting your potential. Whether it’s setting better boundaries, building confidence, improving your health, or bettering familial and romantic relationships, therapists can help you advocate for yourself once you better understand who you are and what you need.

You may have been in therapy before and may have had a less-than-favorable experience. As an experienced therapist, I am committed to providing confidential, ethical, professional, and individualized treatment. I focus on the source of the problem and solution – you. By helping you improve your relationship to yourself, and understanding the underlying reasons for challenges, I help you develop skills to improve your relationship with others.

Learn more about my practice by reading the FAQ on my site, or download my ebook to learn more about my personal journey in fearless living.