Therapy | Willow Oak Therapy Center, Rockville MD

What Are the Most Common Reasons to See a Therapist?

by Willow Oak Therapy Center | Mar 18, 2021 | Therapy

Everyday life comes with its challenges and problems and no matter how hard we try to move past them, the pressure can take a toll on our mental health.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, millions of people in the U.S. suffer from mental health problems. Only a half of them will seek professional help.

When left unaddressed, these issues can interfere with normal functioning. This leads to reduced work productivity, lower happiness levels, and increased irritability.

Depending on the issue you may have and your openness to the therapy experience, you can try different approaches and kinds of therapy.

Read on to discover the most important reasons to see a therapist and start improving your mental health today.

Therapist vs. Psychiatrist: Main Differences

Before you seek therapy, it’s important to distinguish between a therapist and a psychiatrist so you can choose the best option for you.

A therapist deals with mental health symptoms and helps you manage your life, relationships, and stress better. They’re licensed to perform therapy and use different techniques and methods. However, they’re not medical doctors so they cannot prescribe medication.

A psychiatrist treats people with mental health disorders. These include clinical depression, schizophrenia, addiction, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. They have a medical degree, which means they can prescribe medication.

You can also find relief for some mental health disorders by talking to a therapist in addition to a psychiatrist. They’ll help you learn useful ways and tools to manage the symptoms.

Anxiety and Depression

One of the main reasons people seek therapy is because of anxiety and depression. These two disorders often go hand in hand and can be difficult to manage on your own.

Anxiety is more than just a feeling of stress as the person suffering often feels like the world is crumbling and they are overcome by a sense of doom. Thoughts are racing and are often negative so the body feels tense and prepared to fight or flight, especially during a panic attack.

Depression is on the opposite spectrum and is a result of various factors. The person suffering feels hopeless, constantly sad, and unable to do everyday tasks such as bathing, leaving the house, or making the bed.

Dissatisfaction With Life

If you feel unhappy with life for no “apparent” reason and are not sure where your problem comes from, you might be wondering what to expect during therapy.

The therapist will ask you questions and based on your answers, they’ll determine the best strategy to help you. They’ll also discover the root of your unhappiness.

It’s important to be completely honest with your therapist in order to make the most out of your sessions. For therapy to be successful, you should not hide things or lie about things. No matter what your problem is, a good therapist won’t judge you or make you feel bad or guilty about what you’re going through.

Work-Related Problems

Work-related stress, workplace bullying, or a highly-demanding job can be a reason for you to seek therapy. If you’re unhappy with your job, boss, or co-workers, this dissatisfaction will affect your productivity.

One of the most wonderful benefits of seeing a therapist is to discover what you want from your job and your career. Your therapist can help you gain the confidence to go after your dreams and stand up for yourself in the workplace.

The same goes for school-related stress and the pressure to fit in, especially for elementary school students and teens in high school. Whether the stress is a result of getting good grades, bullying, peer pressure, or physical appearance, these feelings are valid. They need to be addressed before they do more damage.

If you’re a parent of a child struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, or behavior problems, it’s important to seek therapy for them right away. This will help them go through this stage much easier so they can understand themselves and their environment better.

Relationship or Marital Problems

One of the most common reasons for going to therapy is marital problems or relationship problems. Couples who fight a lot, don’t spend enough quality time together or are considering divorce can benefit from couples therapy.

In couples therapy, you and your partner will both attend the sessions, but may also attend some sessions individually. The therapist will give you tools and tips to communicate better and start mending the relationship in a healthy way.

Grief and Loss

Grief after the loss of a loved one is an extremely important reason to see a therapist. If you’ve been wondering when to see a therapist after loss, it’s best to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Dealing with grief is a process and you’ll likely go through different stages as time goes by. Therapy can help you process your emotions in a healthy way so you don’t get stuck and unable to move forward.

Low Self-Confidence

Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, low self-confidence and self-esteem can be an obstacle for you to enjoy life to its fullest. Luckily, this is something you can improve with the help of a trained therapist who will help you realize your worth and fulfill your potentials.

Together, you’ll uncover the reasons behind your lack of self-confidence. You’ll learn coping mechanisms and change your thoughts. You’ll discover and develop your unique talents and build your self-esteem in a healthy way.

Is Therapy for You? These Important Reasons To See a Therapist Will Help You Decide

Whether you’re a parent of a child with behavioral problems or you just want to manage your mental health better, these are the most common reasons to see a therapist.

If you’re not sure if therapy will work for you, it’s best to schedule an appointment and take it from there. In most cases, people who go to therapy enjoy many physical, mental, and emotional benefits and improvements.

Ready to take your mental health into your own hands? Discover our therapy services and learn which therapy is the right choice for your needs.

How to Make the Most Out of Working With a Therapist

by Willow Oak Therapy Center | Feb 4, 2021 | Therapy

therapist

Working with a therapist is a great way to have an unbiased person talk you through things going on in your life and be a sounding board for advice. Especially in these times of uncertainty, putting your mental health at the forefront and taking care of yourself is essential.

If you’re already working with a therapist or getting ready for your first appointment, there are a few things to know in order to make the most out of your therapy appointments. There are different styles of therapy and a technique that works well for one person may not be right for you.

Therapy is all about making yourself better so you can live a happier and healthier life. In order to make your therapy sessions productive and fruitful, we’ve put together a guide of tips and recommendations.

If you’re looking for ways on how to make the most out of your therapy appointments, read on for more information.

Evaluate What You Want to Achieve

If you’ve made the decision to seek therapy, you likely have some reasons behind it. You will need to consider what outcome it is you’re looking for from therapy. If you ever feel stuck in your sessions, ask yourself what it is that you want and how you currently are feeling. Taking those things into consideration will help you get back to your why.

Don’t worry about saying or asking something too personal. You’re there to make the most of your session and you shouldn’t worry about censoring yourself. Some sessions you may spend just running through the details of your daily life or not having anything to say. Think about why that is – is there something you’re avoiding talking about? Dig deeper when you can.

If you think of things you want to talk about with your therapist when you’re not in therapy, keep a list or journal to note things down in. Come to your next appointment prepared with items to discuss. Even if they’re not as important to you at that appointment as they were when you wrote it down, still talk it over.

Choose a Therapist That Works for You

Finding a therapist that you feel comfortable and safe with is a big part of the process. Many therapist groups not only offer individual therapy, but family, child, and couples counseling as well. No matter what your need is, there is someone out there that can help you.

Ask friends for recommendations for therapists. Look around at what therapists are in your area and research them online. Virtual therapy is something that has grown in popularity over the past year, so explore online therapy options. Many of the programs available have texting and video chat options quick access to your therapist.

Once you have found the perfect therapist, professionals recommend staying with them instead of switching therapists. There are of course circumstances where a therapist doesn’t work out for you, but it is good to build up a consistent relationship in order to see your progress and build trust.

If you feel like things aren’t working out with your current therapist, there is nothing wrong with parting ways. Ultimately it’s about what you need, but be sure to end the relationship in a professional way. After your therapy sessions, you should feel as if some of your burden has been lifted.

You might feel a bit upset after a therapy session that probed into some serious issues. If you’re feeling distressed after nearly every single one of your appointments, it’s time to evaluate if your therapist is right for you.

Be Open and Honest

Sometimes you may feel embarrassed about some of the topics your therapist brings up or even items you want to discuss. Be completely open and honest with not only our therapist but with yourself. Your therapist isn’t there to judge you – their job is to help you. Have compassion with yourself as you go on this journey.

Not holding back on what you say or feel will help you get the most out of your therapy sessions. If there’s something you’re avoiding talking about, bring those into the conversation.

Your therapist might want to try different exercises or techniques that you may feel uncomfortable with, but trust them and their process. Talk through it with them if you’re feeling uncomfortable. Discuss what about it causes you discomfort. You may find out different things during that process.

Continue Therapy Outside of Your Sessions

Your therapist might give you homework and you shouldn’t ignore that. Think about it as if you were in school. Would you want to get an F on your therapy homework if it was graded? Homework exercises for therapy range from journaling, breathing exercises or sketching things out.

Don’t skip your therapy homework assignments. While they may seem silly or inconsequential to the entire process, taking the small baby steps your therapist outlines for you can help you grow. Doing the tasks they assign will help you gauge your progress.

If going outside and walking around for 10 minutes seems like a huge task at the beginning of therapy, look at how you feel after doing it for a month. It will give you a sense of pride to look at how you progress with the things they assign for you to do. It gives you more control in your journey through therapy.

Forge a Relationship With Your Therapist

Working with a therapist, whether you’re new to the experience or have been doing it for years, can be extremely beneficial to you and those around you. Finding a trustworthy therapist can be difficult, but we’re here to help.

Willow Oak Therapy Center a psychotherapy center in Rockville, MD. Our mission is to provide affordable and accessible therapy services that are tailored to your individual needs.

We can provide assistance to children, teens, and adults. Willow Oak accepts most major insurance plans, as well as Maryland Medicaid and Medicare, and offer sliding scale fees. Contact us today to get started.