Am I Ready for Therapy? Key Indicators to Consider

Starting therapy can feel like a big step for some. For most of us, it is a significant step

for our well-being. Perhaps you’ve been thinking about it for a while or maybe this is a new

thought. You probably wouldn’t be here reading this blog if the thought wasn’t sparked

somewhere. So how do we know? How can we know for sure we are ready to start therapy? I

guess like anything, it can be tough to know for sure, let’s consider some ideas that may lead us

towards a yes.

Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Anxiety – if you’ve been feeling this way for an

extended period of time, and it’s messing with your daily life, therapy could help

Difficulty Coping – maybe it’s feeling challenging to cope with stress, life changes,

emotions, or the weight of it all, therapy can offer support

Feeling Stuck – have you been feeling stuck in your personal or professional life, maybe

feeling unsure of what to do next, therapy can offer an open space to explore your options

Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms – if you find yourself withdrawing from loved ones,

turning to alcohol, drugs or food as a coping strategy more often than not, therapy can

help you explore healthier alternatives

Physical Symptoms - mental health issues can manifest as physical symptoms, such as

headaches, digestive issues, or fatigue, if you notice these in connection with emotional

distress, therapy may be able to alleviate the symptoms

Relationship Issues – this could be with family, friends, at work, or with a partner, if

something feels off, therapy can help you sort through it

Persistent Patterns – if you notice recurring negative patterns in your relationships or

behaviour, therapy can help you understand and change them

Loss or Grief – if you are experiencing loss or grief, whether it is of death, a divorce, an

ended friendship, therapy can help to navigate your experience

Desire for Personal Growth – whether you are starting a self-discovery journey or

looking to make some changes, therapy can help to identify goals and create a plan

Difficulty with Emotional Regulation – if you often experience intense emotions of find

it hard to manage your feelings, therapy can provide strategies for emotional regulation

Support for a Major Life Transition – big changes can be stressful, therapy can help to

navigate these transitions

Feeling Overwhelmed – if it feels like it’s too heavy or intense to carry on your own

anymore, therapy can help lighten the load

Support System – if you feel isolated or that your friends and family are unable to

provide the support you need, a therapist can offer an objective perspective

Curiosity About Therapy or You Want to Start – if you’re wondering if therapy could

help, go ahead and explore it

Referrals or Recommendations – perhaps someone close to you or a medical

professional has suggested you try therapy, perhaps this is a sign to consider it

Do any of these remind you of you? In the end, starting therapy is always a personal choice.

Unless you’re mandated, then that’s less of a choice. If you feel that you could benefit from

professional or additional support, then it’s worth considering. Seeking support is a sign of

strength and awareness. It is perfectly normal to feel uncertain or anxious about starting therapy,

and when you take that first step it can feel empowering.

When you decide to try therapy, it is important to find the right fit with a therapist. Most

therapists will have bio’s that give you a little insight to what it might be like working with them.

Pick out a few that you like and set up consultation calls. During the consultation calls, you will

be asked to give a short explanation of what you are looking for support with and the therapist

will tell you a little more about themselves. After these calls you can decide who you felt the

most connected with and then set up an initial session. It might take a few sessions to find a

groove with your therapist, perhaps a little while for you to feel comfortable opening up, this is

completely normal. Allow the process to work over time, the effort you put in is likely a good

indicator of the outcome. Therapy can be beneficial to continue over a long period of time, it can

also be useful over a short period of time. You can always chat with your therapist to explore

what’s best for you. This is your time, use it wisely, good luck.