By: Marie Miguel
Therapy is a place of self-discovery. When you’re in counseling, you have an opportunity to learn more about yourself and ways to cope with life stressors. It’s an opportunity to figure out what your emotional challenges are and tackle them. Therapy is a place where you’re entirely supported without judgment. You can count on your therapist to be there when times are tough and to celebrate your successes. More than anything, therapy is a place where you can embrace who you are, including your strengths and flaws. Here’s how therapy can help you reconnect with your true self.
Ask yourself: why are you in therapy?
Everyone goes to therapy for their own reasons. Take a moment to ask yourself: why am I in treatment? Maybe you want to work through some anger issues. Perhaps you’re in counseling to analyze your interpersonal relationships and learn to make friends. You could see a therapist because you’re working through a traumatic experience. Some people go to counseling to get help with anxiety and depression. No matter why you’re there, therapy can help you reconnect with yourself. The reason for that is you’re speaking your truth.
You are not your problems
It’s important to recognize that you have problems, but you’re not your issues. You’re a human being who manages various challenges. For example, you could be depressed, but you are not “depression.” It’s important to differentiate what you are as opposed to what your mental health issues are. You can learn more about your identity when you go see a therapist. This is an opportunity for you to explore what you’re passionate about and pursue that. Everybody has different hobbies and passions. You don’t have to like what your friends like. You are unique, and it’s important to explore what matters to you. You may feel pressured by your family to pursue a career. Some people are influenced by their parents. For example, their guardians tell them that they should pursue a career in business. Maybe the person is not passionate about this line of work. You need to explore something that you care about because it is your life and nobody else’s.
Exploring your identity
Many people struggle with identity issues. When you transition from being a child to an adult, it’s challenging. Teenagers go through identity struggles. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t go through an identity crisis when you’re an adult. If that is the case, and you’re struggling to figure out who you are, therapy is an excellent place to explore these issues. Perhaps you’re struggling with your gender identity or what you want to do for your career. It’s okay to question things in life. You want to live the most fulfilling existence, and that’s why you don’t have to settle on one thing. People are a conglomeration of different aspects of themselves. When you go to counseling, you can talk about the other parts of yourself. Maybe you are going through a divorce. Therapy is a place where you can look at these issues and get the help that you need.
Talk to a therapist
You may be scared to explore your identity. But therapy is a safe place to talk about anything you need to, and you won’t be judged. A licensed mental health professional is there to support you while you explore who you are. Maybe you have been harshly evaluated by your friends, family, or loved ones. Perhaps you’ve been in an abusive relationship where your partner was not supportive. These factors can influence whether you are comfortable in your own skin. But, they are not the end of the story. You can explore why you’re afraid to understand yourself with a licensed mental health professional. Whether you see somebody online or in your local area, it’s crucial to seek therapy if you are struggling with your identity. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it. If you’re interested in learning more about therapy, click here.
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Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with MyTherapist.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
