A Therapist Who Sees a Therapist
I’m a therapist who sees a therapist. There’s a common misconception that if you’re seeing a therapist, your life must be falling apart. However, the truth is that everyone could benefit from seeing a therapist once in awhile. I’ve learned that becoming mentally healthy is an important part of achieving overall wellness. That’s why I make it a point to see a therapist from time to time.
Recognizing our thought patterns
As part of staying mentally healthy, it’s important for us to recognize what we’re thinking and why. We’re an imperfect people, and our thoughts can easily lead us astray. If our thoughts are healthy and positive, it leads to a healthier more positive outlook on life. If our thoughts are selfish, impure or angry, it’s important for us to recognize the pattern and seek to change. If we allow ourselves to be driven by unhealthy thoughts, we’re bound to make bad decisions in our lives.
It’s also important for us to to know how to communicate our thoughts and feelings. Sometimes we can think that things are going well, but others in our life do not agree. There are many times when I think I’m communicating in a healthy way, but my husband does not agree. Having a therapist that I can check in with when something stressful comes up has helped me to stay emotionally, mentally and relationally healthy.
The benefit of regular check-ins
Some people avoid therapy at all costs, losing their jobs, family, and well-being along the way. Don’t let your own perception of therapy keep you from the positive self-development it can bring. Destruction sneaks up on you. We may think everything is fine until we are confronted with the reality that it is not. I don’t want to wait until I am confronted with destruction. I want to identify my weaknesses and work on them before there are lasting effects and therapy check-ins help me do that.
As a therapist, I have seen many clients come in who are in shock. They just found out their spouse is considering divorce, or, all of a sudden, their kids are expelled from school. The trouble is that, without regular check-ins with someone who can speak into your situation from an outside perspective, we can be blindsided with our weaknesses and the stresses of life.
Don’t let yourself be blindsided
Sometimes we think we’re doing well, but instead we’re bottling up our emotions. Then, all of a sudden, we’re so stressed out and overwhelmed that it comes out on the people around us or in other unhealthy ways. This includes beating ourselves up, taking it out on our kids or families, letting things fall through the cracks at work or letting stress bring down our physical health.
Stress, when left untreated, can impact your mind, body and behavior in many ways. Below are just a few of the ways that untreated stress can impact you.
[row]
[col-md-4 class=””]
Mind
- Anxiety
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Depression
- Inability to focus
- Stressful Thoughts
[/col-md-4]
[col-md-4 class=””]
Body
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
- Chest pain
- Trouble Sleeping
- Tense Muscles
[/col-md-4]
[col-md-4 class=””]
Behavior
- Angry outbursts
- Loss of desire to be around others
- Substance abuse (drugs, alcohol)
- Loss of Patience
[/col-md-4]
[col-md-4 class=””]
[/row]
Therapy can help you stay mentally healthy
Below are just a few of the ways that regular check-ins with a therapist can help you stay mentally healthy:
- Learn how to handle stress
- Process the stress in your life
- Help you to see where you may be taking your stress out on the people in your life
- Prevent overall burnout
- Prevent emotional problems
- Prevent relationship problems
- Help you sort out your thoughts and feelings during a time of adjustment or important decision making
I’m a therapist who sees a therapist, and I am mentally healthier for it. My family, my friends, my employees and my clients get a better me because of it. I highly recommend regular check-ins and preventative therapy to all of my friends and the therapists I know. I’m so confident in the value of preventative mental health, that I suspect one day, the medical community will add it to the list of overall preventive healthcare. One day, I hope to see people scheduling preventive mental health, the same way that they schedule their annual physical, and dental cleaning.
I hope you’ll join me in making your mental health a priority and start scheduling regular check-ins with a therapist.
– Charity Ritter LISW-S
For information on counseling at Live Wellness Center, please visit our page on counseling.
Professional Counseling | Compassionate Care
This article should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any condition or illness. At no time is a professional relationship established with anyone by reading this article. Live Wellness Center has a team of caring professional therapists to help you find restoration, mental health and overall wellness. Call us for an appointment at 614-437- 9910.