Who is Therapy for?
We all have mental health
We all have mental health and we all need to actively manage it. Not doing so is the same as not managing our physical health – difficulties develop, some of which may be preventable and all of which need attending to. The consequences of not actively managing any aspect of our health is that difficulties get worse and / or impact on how we feel, what we can do and how enjoyable life is. To manage mental health you need to be able to reflect and act – what state are you in and why? What do you need to do to get back on track? What stops you doing it?
Life happens
You can access therapy at any point in your life, at any point on the spectrum of ‘life is going well’ through to ‘life couldn’t get worse’. If we need to reflect and act to maintain good mental health and manage life’s challenges, then seeing a therapist provides an ideal space for this (this is not to say you couldn’t get what you need without seeking professional help). Therapists have travelled this path with many others previously, so have refined what helps in the many different and difficult situations we can find ourselves in. Some actions may be suggested by the therapist – such as what may help you to relax, manage stress, process trauma. Other actions may be brought to light through the process of reflecting about where you are at, what has brought you there and who you want to be moving forwards.
Mental health service gold dust
Therapy is mental health service gold dust. Having a course of treatment that is what you need, when you need it and lasts as long as you need it to can be hard to access under the National Health Service (NHS). For example in many places I have lived and worked the waiting list to see a psychologist for ongoing therapy sessions is 2 years long, and usually you will have to have tried all other options before referral to a psychologist is considered justified. This may have given the impression that only people who are very unwell can or should access therapy. This is not true and it is also not helpful, by acting early and addressing problems you can prevent becoming very unwell and live a more meaningful life now. A major benefit of private therapy is that you can have it when you need it, and you are the one who decides how long it lasts.
Should everyone have therapy?
I have heard many therapists say that everyone should have therapy. I agree that everyone should at least have the opportunity to. Psychologists are (in my experience) among the most open to having therapy – because we have had a lot of therapy by the time we qualify and see the benefits of this - whether to help with a specific issue or focusing more broadly on personal development. We are encouraged to have personal therapy formally, and on my doctorate course a series therapy sessions was provided. Also, whilst we learn the various different approaches we practice on each other. When I am ‘being the client’ and I feel safe with who I’m working with I have brought genuine issues from my life and benefitted hugely from the insight gained.
More relevant than ‘who’ is the question of ‘what’
Perhaps the more relevant questions is ‘what is therapy for’? The answer is that you can access therapy for any reason whatsoever. Many people access private therapy at the point of a life transition (especially following a loss or difficult experience), due to distress that is impacting their life, relationships difficulties or wanting to understand themselves and their behaviour better. Therapy will usually have a goal, and the goal will help determine which kind of therapy will be most useful. The history of any difficulties you have experienced, goals for seeking therapy and consideration of approach are all topics discussed within the first session of therapy, or the initial assessment as we tend to call it. This helps to ensure therapy is tailored to you personally and what you would find most useful.