Deciding to get mental health care is the bravest, most empowering thing we can do for ourselves. It can also be the hardest choice we will ever make.
I can only speak from my perspective, because each of us is so unique. Our life experiences may have common elements, but no two of us, even among siblings, will process things the same way.
I started therapy when I was sitting in a doctor’s office experiencing a full-blown panic attack. I wish I had done it sooner. Without boring you too much with details, here are some of my key thoughts to encourage you to take a leap of faith for yourself.
Therapy was like digging myself out of a hole.
I always considered myself a strong, independent, capable, faith-filled person. Therapy seemed like an admission that I was none of those things and, if I wasn’t, what was I? Through the process, I learned I was still that person, just buried under years of covering up emotional stuff instead of dealing with it and letting it go.
Faith guided my journey.
At my first meeting with my counselor, I let her know I would filter everything through my Christian worldview. She was actually excited! After completing each homework assignment, she looked forward to seeing how I related it to my faith. I believe God guides us to our best life. We are not made to go it alone on this earth, and He uses people to help us. Going to therapy does NOT mean you or your faith is weak. It means you are relying on God to show you what or who you need.
Like looking through binoculars, what I focused on seemed really big.
I had spiraled into negative overthinking, focusing on all the bad and downplaying all the good. The more I slipped down this spiral, the more I felt helpless to find my way out. Thinking got clouded, perspectives got skewed, and giving up felt like an easy option. Therapy helped me change my focus. Talking it out with someone who had neutral feelings about my situations, helped me refocus and rebalance my thought processes.
Doubts and down days don’t control me.
Having a bad day, feeling sad, having a good cry, or doubting my abilities is part of being human. Now I can allow feelings to come and go, like a passing storm. Doubts and down days don’t rule me, don’t define me, and don’t hold me captive. Every day is about making choices. More and more I want to choose to live in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23.)
Getting help was a show of strength and not weakness.
I am proud and not ashamed of going to therapy. It is the best thing I have done for ME. I rediscovered my voice, my love of writing, and my faith and love for God are even stronger. As I learned to love myself, I realized a new level of empathy and love for others.
Friend, help is just a call away. Start with your healthcare provider or check with your insurance company for coverage. Pray for God to show you the way—He loves you with an everlasting love!
Check out all my self-care articles, including worksheets I created from all my therapy homework assignments, by visiting my Self-Care Page.
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