Is it Time for Therapy? 5 Signs It’s Time to Reach Out to a Professional
For many, reaching out to a therapist can be a daunting step. One of the things that I have found is that people often wait until things feel very difficult to come to therapy. This makes sense given that it can be a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this post, I will walk you through some signs that suggest you might want to consider reaching out for professional help.
Signs it is time to consider therapy:
You Have Been Struggling for a Long Time:
How long have you been dealing with your current struggles? Maybe when you ask yourself this question, you realize that it’s been a really long time since you felt like yourself or that you can’t remember a time when you didn’t feel like you were struggling. No one should have to go on like this. If this sounds like your experience, it might be time to consider reaching out to a psychologist.
Your Current Coping Strategies Aren’t Working:
Many people try many different things on their own prior to finding their way to therapy. Maybe you’ve tried talking to loved ones or reading self-help books or trying to push yourself in any number of ways for things to be different. The list is endless. Or related to this, maybe something that used to work for you is no longer working. I commend you for anything you have been trying, especially when you are not feeling well.
Mental Health Struggles are Impacting Your Daily Life:
Mental health struggles can impact people in so many different and difficult ways. Maybe you don’t enjoy the things you used to enjoy. Or maybe you realize that you’re not taking care of yourself the way that you used to or in the ways that you know that you need to. This could be in the ways that you're eating, sleeping, or exercising, among any number of other areas. You might find whatever you’re experiencing has put a strain on your relationship or is making it difficult to fully engage in your work or get things done around the house. Or you might be finding that your emotional experiences are impacting you physically, whether it be you’re feeling fatigued, having stomach issues or experiencing more headaches or other pain in your body. All of the above can be very upsetting, and suggest that it might be time to reach out for help.
Your Emotional Responses Feel Overwhelming or Intense:
Having an emotional reaction to any number of the things that we face in life is part of the human experience. If we get in a disagreement with a loved one, it can be normal to feel upset. Or if we have something that we are anticipating in our life, it can be normal to experience some worry and stress. If someone does something that feels disrespectful, it can be normal to feel some level of irritation. However, if you find yourself very aware of the intensity of your reaction to any number of life experiences, this might suggest that it’s time to consider therapy with a professional.
You Are Navigating a Major Life Transition:
Let’s face it, day-to-day life can be stressful. And then if you pile on top of that a major life change or transition, that can really exhaust our capacity to manage and stay healthy. Life transitions can mean anything from the loss of a relationship, health issues, death, divorce, a job change, a change in the family structure, or any other number of things. Sometimes we can get through these things with the support of people around us, but sometimes it can be helpful to have the additional support of an objective person that can support you in ways that others in your life might not be able to for whatever reason.
The above are just a number of signs that might suggest that it’s time to reach out for professional help. However, this list is not exhaustive. The reality of it is, if you are not feeling like yourself or feel like something is off in your experience or your life, it might make sense to reach out for counseling. There is no “perfect” reason. You know yourself better than anyone and you know when things aren’t feeling right for you.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation:
If you resonate with any of these signs, you do not have to navigate them alone. I provide online therapy across New York State, helping individuals manage anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Contact Me: Schedule your free 15-minute consultation
Have Questions? Read my online therapy FAQs
Author Bio:
As a background, Dr. Amy Rodrigues is a licensed clinical psychologist located in Rochester, NY offering virtual therapy throughout all of New York State. She has 15 years of specializing in issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD/trauma, life stress, and relationship struggles. She earned her doctorate in psychology from the University of Rochester and focuses in combining evidence-based approaches with compassionate, person-centered care.
View more about her: https://www.amyrodriguesphd.com/aboutme or her professional credentials: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/amy-rodrigues-psychologist-pllc-rochester-ny/1583244.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be treated as medical, psychiatric, or psychological advice. This content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please call or text 988 (in the US/Canada) or go to the nearest emergency room.
