Why Talk Therapy Works
Talk therapy is an opportunity to become the best version of yourself. Talk therapy is also commonly known as counseling, therapy, or psychotherapy—adding “talk” helps to delineate from other types of therapies, such as physical or speech therapy. Therapy is a process where you get to explore who you are, what you want out of life, and talk without judgement, shame, or pre-existing ideas from the professional listening.
Talk therapy or mental health counseling can be extremely effective in treating a wide range of issues from “feeling stuck” to coping with significant trauma. One common myth is you need to be in a crisis to “need” therapy. The myth-busting truth is people go to therapy for all sorts of reasons. There are no pre-requisite(s) to seek out counseling.
Seeking out a therapist or counselor does not have to mean there is something “wrong with you.” It just means you want to improve some aspect of your life whether it be school, career, family, relationship(s) etc...Working with a talk therapist can help you clarify goals, change behaviors, and cope with life circumstances and transitions.
You might be wondering, “How is talking about my problems going to fix anything?” Fair question! Talk therapy is often misunderstood to be the same as getting advice from a friend. Talk therapy should not feel like going out to lunch with a trusted friend who listens and then offers concrete advice. Counselors, Social Workers, and other clinicians that provide talk therapy are trained to listen, ask questions, and respond in a different way.
For example, when clients ask me, “What should I do?”, aka, give them advice—I rarely do. And, I explain the following: “If I tell you what to do, then you are stuck paying me for the rest of your life…if I help you learn how to trust yourself, tolerate discomfort, and feel empowered in your decision making abilities, then you are free to live your life and spend your money as you see fit.” There may be a few grunts and groans—but which option do you think clients choose? Not the first!! I share this example to illuminate one of the many differences between advice from a good friend and going to therapy.
It is important to note, talk therapy is most effective when you choose a therapist that is a “good fit” for you. There is tons of research supporting the importance of a trusting therapeutic relationship, as it relates to positive therapeutic outcomes. Every clinician has their own style and approach to counseling or talk therapy—and each can be effective, depending on what is right for YOU.
If you are looking for a therapist…here are two online directories where you can filter and search for a mental health professional that is right for you:
Talk therapy is a helpful and healing process. The therapeutic process takes trust, time, and sometimes it is hard work. If therapy is effective, the time and effort becomes an extremely rewarding experience you take with you for a lifetime.