Is Therapy For Me? – by The Montclair Therapist, Dr. Amanda Aster-McKenna Psy.D. – Licensed Psychologist in Montclair, NJ

How Do I Know If Therapy Is The Right Fit For Me?
- by The Montclair Therapist

Dr. Amanda Aster-McKenna, Psy.D - Licensed Psychologist in Montclair, NJ

The Montclair Therapist - Dr. Amanda Aster-McKenna, Psy.D - Licensed Psychologist in Montclair NJ

Is Therapy Right For Me?

Contrary to popular misconception, you don’t have to be “crazy,” desperate, or on the brink of a meltdown to go to therapy. Most people can benefit from therapy at at least some point in their lives. Sometimes the signs are obvious—but at other times, something may feel slightly off and you can’t figure out what it is. So you trudge on, trying to sustain your busy life until it sets in that life has become unmanageable. Before it gets to this point, here are five signs you may need help from a pro.

5 Signs It’s Time to Seek Therapy

1. Feeling sad, angry, or otherwise “not yourself”:

Uncontrollable sadness, anger, or hopelessness may be signs of a mental health issue that can improve with treatment. If you’re eating or sleeping more or less than usual, withdrawing from family and friends, or just feeling “off,” talk to someone before serious problems develop that impact your quality of life. If these feelings escalate to the point that you question whether life is worth living or you have thoughts of death or suicide, reach out for help right away.

2. Abusing drugs, alcohol, food, or sex to cope:

When you turn outside yourself to a substance or behavior to help you feel better, your coping skills may need some fine-tuning. If you feel unable to control these behaviors or you can’t stop despite negative consequences in your life, you may be struggling with addictive or compulsive behavior that requires treatment.

3. You’ve lost someone or something important to you:

Grief can be a long and difficult process to endure without the support of an expert. While not everyone needs counseling during these times, there is no shame in needing a little help to get through the loss of a loved one, a divorce, or significant breakup, or the loss of a job, especially if you’ve experienced multiple losses in a short period of time.

4. Something traumatic has happened:

If you have a history of abuse, neglect, or other trauma that you haven’t fully dealt with, or if you find yourself the victim of a crime or accident, chronic illness or some other traumatic event, the earlier you talk to someone, the faster you can learn healthy ways to cope.

5. You can’t do the things you like to do:

Have you stopped doing the activities you ordinarily enjoy? If so, why? Many people find that painful emotions and experiences keep them from getting out, having fun and meeting new people. This is a red flag that something is amiss in your life.

Help is Available!

Recognizing the need for therapy can be challenging, but at the same time, it’s also an essential step toward improving your well-being. Hopefully this article has provided some help for you to determine if therapy might be the right choice for you. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. No matter what you're going through, support is available. Reaching out for assistance can lead to a healthier, happier you.

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with any of these issues, please don't hesitate to give me a call at 973-233-5433. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), and/or text "HOME" to the Crisis Text Line (741741).

*Peace, Love, & Fierce Acceptance*

Dr. Amanda Aster-McKenna, Psy.D.

(She/Her/Hers)

NJ Licensed Psychologist #5888, Private Practice, Montclair, NJ

Adjunct Professor, Kean University, Department of Advanced Studies in Psychology

Manager, New York City Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

Board Member, Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris

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