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COMMON QUESTIONS
How can therapy help me?
There are several benefits available from participating in therapy. For example, therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues relating to depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, career struggles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks.
Many people also find that therapists can help to improve other factors such as managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh and nonjudgmental perspective on a difficult problem or can help point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process to participate and put into practice what you learn.
Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
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Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values
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Developing skills for improving your relationships
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Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
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Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
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Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
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Improving communications and listening skills
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Changing old behaviour patterns and developing new ones
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Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
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Improving self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle
my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realise they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
What is therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviours or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts, and creative blocks.
Therapy can help provide some much-needed encouragement and help with skills to get people through difficult periods. While others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
HELPFUL LINKS
Rehabilitation and Recovery Mental Health Services - HSE.ie
https://www.hse.ie › eng › services › list › rehabilitation
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