family in therapy with counsellor

Therapy: A New Year’s Resolution to Follow Through On!

woman seated on couch in therapy session

We always want to be our best as the New Year approaches, which is why we make resolutions.

Therapy is an excellent way of making sure that we become just that. You don’t have to have problems to get something out of a therapy session. In fact, its many benefits can all contribute to positivity, well-being, and a great outlook in life. This coming year, why not make a resolution to try out therapy? It’s a broad field that has something for everyone, after all.

Therapy: Then vs Now

The word “therapy” used to have a certain connotation in the past.

People used to associate therapy, counselling, psychology and psychiatry with stigma. These included:

  • “illness”
  • “weakness”
  • “negativity”

 
Such negative associations have largely disappeared, and therapy is now viewed in a more positive light.

The vast majority of the public now views therapy and counselling as something normal and for a good reason. Undergoing therapy shows the desire to be better, to do better, and the need to live more positively.

This makes therapy a great idea for people looking to get a good jump on the new year, and commit to wellness for the coming year – and beyond.

What Are the Methods Used in Therapy?

new year's eve time for resolutionsCounselling involves different methods that therapists can use for a variety of issues.

These methods have been honed over time and can be quite effective in addressing different things. Some of the most common methods used in therapy are the following:

  • Talk therapy: Also known as psychotherapy, talk therapy primarily uses conversations for identifying and addressing issues.
  • Group counselling: If there is more than one person involved in an issue, then group therapy may be best. It can be used for identifying causes of friction and finding common solutions.
  • Life coaching: Some therapists are also life coaches. They can help guide people with their personal lives, careers, relationships, and more.
  • Professional counselling: Some people need guidance with professional matters. Career change, work, growth, or academic counselling fall under this category.

 
Each method can be more effective in addressing certain issues compared to others. A professional therapist will know which to use in specific cases.

What Emotional Issues Can a Therapy Address?

Many people correctly believe that therapy can be used to address personal issues and other problems.

However, what many people do not know is that therapy is a lot more flexible than that. The methods of therapy can be used for a variety of purposes and not just for addressing issues.

Some of the most common reasons that people have for seeing a therapist are the following:

  • Personal issues: All people have personal issues, and therapy can be used for identifying and addressing them.
  • Professional advice: Some people may hit a few snags in their careers. There are forms of therapy and counselling that can be used for addressing professional issues.
  • Relationships: Relationships can severely impact one’s well-being. Relationship counselling and therapy can help smoothen any issues present.
  • Mental illness: Mental illness is something that one should never underestimate. If one suspects the presence of mental illness, seeing a therapist may be the best choice.
  • Trauma: Many people experience psychological trauma. Therapy can be used to address these and reduce their negative impacts on everyday life.

 

Therapy is typically done in a full cycle in order to be effective. The number of sessions may vary based on the issue and the methods involved in addressing the issue.

Many people continue therapy even after the recommended number of sessions end.

9 Ways That Therapy Can Benefit You This Coming Year

Therapy is an ideal resolution you can make for this coming year.

The many benefits that therapy gives can help you be the best that you can be.

Here are some ways that therapy can benefit you this coming year:

1.      It can help with negative thoughts and emotions

female patient speaking with therapistWe sometimes cannot help but overthink.

Negative thoughts can lead to stress, lack of sleep, and many others. In the worst cases, thoughts and emotions may sometimes be too much for a person to bear.

Having nobody to share these thoughts with can make matters worse.

Fortunately, therapy can serve as an avenue for sharing these negative thoughts and emotions.

Therapists can help in identifying the source of the negativity and finding ways to manage them properly. Doing so can help a person minimize the adverse effects that these thoughts may have on everyday life.
 

2.      Therapy can serve as a form of stress relief

We all go through different forms of stress on a regular basis.

Some of us, however, get exposed to more stress compared to others.

Similarly, each of us can have different ways of coping. Unfortunately, some people are not as efficient as others in dealing with stressors. It does not make them weak; they just need a little more help than other people do.

Stress is one of the most common reasons why people undergo therapy.

Therapists utilize methods that help people identify their stressors, the effects of these stressors, and ways of coping. It makes therapy a very efficient way of counteracting the effects of stress and reducing their impacts on life.

3.      It can help you with introspection

family in therapy with counsellorAll of us strive to be the best that we can be.

This task usually requires some form of introspection on our part.

Therapy can help a person with the process of introspection. With the help of a good therapist, a person can identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas that could use improvement.

Therapy is, by no means, the only way to improve oneself. However, seeing a therapist can help speed up the process of self-improvement by a large degree.

4.      Therapy helps bridge strained relationships

All of us, at one point or another, have experienced strain in our personal relationships.

Whether this occurs with a significant other, a family member, or a friend, relationship problems can be stressful. The bigger differences can impact our lives and well-being significantly.

Fortunately, therapy can help in addressing disparities that people have and improving communication between them.

Methods such as family therapy and couples therapy can be useful in bridging gaps that people have. Very notably, these types of therapy are often done in groups. These help all parties involved in voicing out their concerns and finding solutions to help them move forward.

5.      Therapy can help with the problem-solving process

group therapy session with familyThere are times when we face a big problem, and we feel stuck at finding a way out.

In these cases, therapy may just help with the problem-solving process. This process involves a lot of steps, much thinking, and introspection.

Seeing a therapist can guide a person through the problem-solving process to arrive at a healthy solution.

Take note, however, that your therapist will not solve your problems for you. Instead, a good therapist will help you arrive at a solution.

Therapy effectively equips you with the skills and tools that can be used should the same issue arise in the future.

6.      It can help you boost your self-image

Some people become too fixated on their undesirable traits that they overlook the positive ones that they have.

It then leads to low self-esteem and a negative view of oneself. A negative self-image is a serious issue that these people deal with. The longer that a person is allowed to view oneself negatively, the more serious the psychological impacts may become.

Fortunately, therapy can help a person remedy this.

A good self-image is vital in having a healthy outlook in life. It can help:

  • reduce stress
  • increase confidence
  • and generally have more positive relationships with others

 

Sounds like a better way to live life, doesn’t it?

7.      Therapists can help you set goals

man in therapy sessionHave you ever felt stagnant or lost with your professional career, personal life, or relationships?

Most of us will feel this way at one point or another. One of the best ways of dealing with these thoughts is to set goals that one can strive to achieve.

Therapy is one of the best and healthiest ways of seeking out these goals. An experienced therapist can help you set goals and map out the path to achieving them.

Most importantly, your therapist will guide you throughout the whole process of goal-setting and learning.

8.      Therapy helps with mental illnesses

Mental health is not something that one should take lightly.

The problems that stem from mental health issues can be severe and can impact lives significantly.

One of the best ways of dealing with issues related to mental health is through therapy.

9.      Therapy can improve general well-being

The many benefits of therapy do not just impact specific parts of a person’s life.

The positivity that results from therapy can ripple out to all other aspects.

In the best cases, people surrounding the person can feel the positivity as well.

Make Therapy Your New Year’s Resolution

Whether you have issues that you need to deal with or not, therapy can positively contribute to your well-being.

Make a New Year’s resolution that sticks. Feel free to reach out – and start the path to healing now.