Therapy can sometimes be a difficult conversation to talk about, due to the stigma that surrounds mental health, some people think going to therapy is embarrassing or is a sign of weakness, but this couldn’t be more wrong, therapy is nothing to be ashamed of and if anything it shows courage and strength.
Talking therapy can help with a range of mental health problems and it is important to understand that therapy is a safe and non-judgmental environment for you and your therapist to develop a trusting relationship and work through and explore your thoughts together.
My experience with therapy
From the age of 17, I noticed I was having severe anxiety and the most horrendous thoughts that were causing me serious distress, this led to me also being diagnosed with a mental illness called OCD which I will speak about later in the blog in more detail.
However, it took me a while to speak up about my struggles to my family and eventually I realised I needed some help, that’s when I went to my GP and started therapy through the NHS. Unfortunately, the waitlist on the NHS is long so I was quite fortunate I was able to start therapy after one month of seeing my GP which I am grateful for.
I started doing CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and ERP (Exposure and Response Therapy) and have continued with this treatment for several years and this treatment has been very effective.
For me therapy has worked massively and has helped me a lot, I understand everybody is completely different and it might not be for you, but one thing I will say is, don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed about reaching out to your GP or a private therapist for some support, because this shows so much strength its incredible, you are strong and brave to do this and I promise you, you are not alone.
Finding the right therapist
If I am honest it took me a few years to find the right therapist for me, although the therapists and psychologists I worked with in the early days of my mental health struggles were amazing, it wasn’t until a couple of years ago I felt like I truly found the right therapist for me. It’s important to find a great bond between you and your therapist as this is likely to have an effective impact on your growth.
I completely understand everybody’s circumstances and financial situations are different and this is something that should be taken into consideration. There are several options you can take through, booking an appointment with your GP to be able to have access to a therapist through the NHS, there are local support groups and meet-ups you can look at attending, and private therapies if this is something you can have access to, low-cost counselling and mental health charities available for you to utilise.
I hope you find this information on therapy helpful, and I will delve deeper into this topic as the blog goes on, again, if therapy is something you are thinking of, I cannot stress enough have much strength this shows and how incredible you are.
Lots of love x