Therapy, also known as counseling, involves talking openly with a mental health professional about how to relieve emotional distress. Counselors have specialized training in conflict resolution and problem-solving, which means they can help you define your problems more clearly and resolve them more easily.1

Knowing when to connect with a counselor is critical.2 The sooner you address concerns about your emotional wellbeing, the sooner you can settle them.

Here are 6 reasons to connect with a counselor:

  1. YOU’RE EXPERIENCING A HIGH LEVEL OF STRESS. Experiencing high levels of stress for long periods of time can cause damage to your health. Reaching out to a counselor can help you develop healthy coping strategies for managing stress.
  2. YOU ARE FACING A BIG LIFE CHANGE. Change can feel overwhelming, especially when it is unexpected. A counselor can help you manage the intense emotions that often bubble up during the change process.
  3. YOU ARE USING UNHEALTHY NUMBING STRATEGIES. Using substances like drugs or alcohol to numb uncomfortable feelings can take a serious toll on your health. A counselor can help you find healthier alternatives for managing your feelings.
  4. YOU FEEL SAD. Feeling sad occasionally is normal. Change and loss are shared human experiences, and sadness is inevitable. Feeling sad for periods of time lasting more than two weeks, though, can be a sign of depression3.
  5. YOU FEEL LONELY. There is a difference between being alone and feeling lonely. Loneliness and isolation can lead to depression, which carries additional health risks.
  6. YOU FEEL HELPLESS. Feeling like you have no options is paralyzing. If you feel trapped, a counselor may be able to help you see options you could not see on your own. If you are unable to resolve your problems on your own, a therapist may be able to help you see things differently. Connecting with a counselor can be instrumental in helping you move through life’s more challenging circumstances. To find a counselor in your area, visit psychologytoday.com.

According to the CDC, in 2019 19.2% adults in the U.S. sought treatment for a mental health concern.4

1. https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy
2. https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/understanding
3. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
4. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db380.htm