By Malynn Kuangparichat, Psy.D., J.D. 

During the pandemic, I read an article about the benefits of getting mental health checkups just like how we get annual dental checkups. The article provided a shift in perspective for people to see psychologists, counselors, and therapists as an open resource for all – not for the most common myth that therapy is for when you hit rock bottom.

As the mental health crisis in our communities increases, I believe it’s important to continue normalizing talk around mental health by destigmatizing and demystifying topics.

By normalizing talk around mental health, everyone can feel like they can reach out for help and get professional support when they need it.

Many people believe that therapy is just for those struggling with depression or continually struggling with a mental illness. Actually, therapy can be for anyone and can be for a specific season when you’re going through a life transition.

What Therapy is Really About

I know how hard it is to reach out for help, thinking the worst of yourself and your situation. Believe me, I’ve been there, and I get how hard it is to take that first step for help. 

Your mistakes don’t define you, and imperfection doesn’t make you a failure. Being human means experiencing imperfection.

It’s all part of the growing journey.

The more we can talk productively through our struggles and feelings of stress, anxiousness, and moments of overwhelm or hopelessness, the more we can empower our well-being with coping strategies and conflict-resolution skills.

On top of equipping ourselves with strategies and skills, therapy is about discovering our true selves.

And self-discovery leads us to living life in the present, making decisions aligned to our values, and feeling fulfilled as we function from our best self.

6 Reasons Everyone Could Use Therapy

As I shared earlier, I’ve seen so many people reach out feeling the worst about themselves and feeling like failures. “How could I not manage this myself?” or “How did I get myself into a situation where I now need therapy?” 

Please know that you’re not alone – these are common thoughts to have because of the stigmas around mental health in our culture and society.

Don’t be hard on yourself, and show yourself kindness and compassion. Just imagine what you would say and do if a close friend shares their struggles. You may give them a hug, sit by their side, and simply say, “I’m sorry you’re struggling and I’m here to help you.” 

Give yourself the same kind of compassion because we all deserve love, especially loving kindness to ourselves.

Now, let’s get into 6 reasons everyone could use therapy.

#1 Therapy helps you uncover who you are

Depending on the therapy, sessions can reveal and connect things about yourself that you would otherwise miss out on if you don’t ask for help. 

When you’re clear on your values and motivations, you’re able to make decisions that align with what’s important to you. I talk more about defining your story to achieve happiness and fulfillment in my blog post “How to Take Back Control of Your Life by Defining Your Story.”

#2 Therapy helps you advocate for yourself

This is an important strand when it comes to taking care of yourself, including my passions to educate others on self-care and self-compassion. 

You may even see the ripple effect within your family and friends as you model advocating for yourself in a healthy way. This shows them how they can express and advocate for their own needs.

Here’s what advocating for yourself can look like:

• being able to express your thoughts and feelings to others
• setting and following through with boundaries
• meeting your physical, mental, emotional, and social needs so you can care for others better

#3 Therapy helps you build confidence

Asking for help takes courage and following through with mental health support takes persistence.

Taking the steps to prove to yourself that you have the resolve to take action and follow through is a boost in your own confidence.

High-quality therapy sessions empower you to manage your personal challenges by providing strategies and skills that fit you and your needs.

These strategies prevent you from shutting down emotionally or reacting in an outburst, thus giving you confidence as you navigate inner and outer conflicts in your day-to-day moments.

#4 Therapy helps you better help others

It’s such a joy to see the ripple effect and empowerment that comes through effective therapy sessions. 

When you get the professional support that you need to lift your anxieties, manage stress, or cope through a season of depression, the benefits trickle down to anyone who is in your care whether at work or home.

Because if you’re able to help yourself, you’ll be able to better help those in your life. If you’re a caretaker, you can find some helpful tips on how to avoid burnout and find more balance as a caretaker.

#5 Therapy helps break the stigma around mental health

Seeking professional help and talking about living with mental illness breaks down the barriers around mental health. It helps others see how we can all confront our inner issues and the effectiveness and benefits of reaching out for help.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Quite the contrary, it’s a sign of courage.

#6 Therapy empowers you with self-expression

When you’re frustrated because your family or colleagues just don’t seem to get you, seeking therapy support gives you the language to express yourself effectively and confidently. 

Improving your communication skills helps you advocate for yourself, resolve conflicts in a way that doesn’t lead to emotional shutdown, and helps you feel seen and heard. Remember that you can’t change others, but you can change yourself.

If you’re not sure who to talk to about your mental health concerns, then consider speaking to your family doctor or primary care physician.

So what’s the next step?

From stress management and depression to parenting support and couples counseling, we want to remove the barriers when it comes to seeking professional support. 

Take a look at our free resources around “Finding the Best Fit Therapy Practice For You” or “How Exactly Does Therapy Work: From First Call to First Therapy Session” (including how we help you navigate the hairy insurance tape).

That first step to reaching out for help can feel scary, so know that we’re here to serve you every step of the way with compassion and our expert experience.

Contact Us

Ready to take the next step for your well-being? Chester County Well-Being (CCWB) provides a range of mental health services to ensure we meet our community’s needs. We serve individuals, couples, and families in the Chester County area. Reach out to us here.

Our specializations include:

• Work and Career issues
• Stress Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
• Couples Counseling
• Family Counseling
• Parenting Support
• Grief Counseling
• Addiction & Recovery

Teletherapy

In addition to in-person services, Dr. Malynn Kuangparichat provides high quality and secure telepsychology services in participating PSYPACT states. All other clinicians offer teletherapy services for the state of PA.

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You can learn more about self-care, self-compassion, and mental health insights by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog does not constitute a clinical relationship or replace the need for professional services. 

About the Author

Malynn Kuangparichat (Psy.D., J.D.) is founder and psychologist at Chester County Well-Being.  

She has a collaborative approach that results in highly tailored evaluations intended to meet her clients’ unique needs. She focuses on an individual’s strengths, which are integrated in the practical, personalized recommendations identified by the findings of an evaluation. 

In her free time, she enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, and getting ice cream or doughnuts from the local shops.