THE PULSE

Your health is important to you; you eat right, exercise at In-Shape, and take care of your body. But have you been taking care of your mind? Therapy can be a great way to ease the stress of everyday life. Let’s break down why therapy can be a powerful tool in your journey to be your healthiest self. 

Who Can Benefit From Therapy?

Therapy helps us understand our emotions and research shows that it can improve our day to day functioning, as well as quality of life.

Despite this evidence, many people feel that therapy isn’t for them, or that it’s only for people with serious psychiatric disorders. The truth is, therapy can be beneficial to everyone. We all experience stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions. Therapy can help us to understand why we’re feeling the way we are, and teach us better skills for coping with the stress of day to day life.

How Do I Get Started?

Starting therapy can feel daunting. Whether it be the perceived stigma, cost concerns, or just navigating through the many options available, it’s easy to feel lost when seeking treatment.

Fortunately, most health insurance covers some kind of mental health service. Affordable online therapy is another option that is a great fit for some people, especially those with busy or unpredictable schedules. You may find that even if you have to pay a small amount out of pocket, the investment in yourself is well worth it.

Talk Therapy vs. Psychiatry

Many people are under the impression that going to a therapist means walking out with a prescription in hand. In truth, therapists are trained to listen and provide us with a better understanding of our emotions. In fact, therapists don’t write prescriptions.

If medication is something that you and your therapist decide you want to try, you’ll likely be guided to a psychiatrist. Though both psychiatrists and therapists are experts in the mental health field, their roles are different. Psychiatrists are doctors highly educated in medication’s role in treating mental health issues.

A therapist may refer you to a psychiatrist if they think medication may be of help. Ultimately, the decision is yours, and you should feel free to discuss concerns about medications with your therapist.

Therapy Works!

The research speaks for itself: therapy is effective. Studies have shown that therapy builds resiliency and the benefits can be seen even after treatment has ended. If you’re serious about your health, trying therapy is something that you might want to consider. It works, and a happy life is a healthy life.