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"I Don't Need a Therapist..." But Who Then?

May 29, 2024
8:52 pm

You’ve probably heard this phrase before, and you might have even said it yourself. Many people react to the suggestion of seeing a therapist as if it’s an insult or an implication that they can’t handle their problems on their own. Unfortunately, this reaction is common across various social groups. For many, seeking help from a therapist or psychologist is synonymous with admitting weakness. Moreover, the mystery surrounding mental health and the lack of understanding about human functioning often lead to irrational fears, preventing individuals from addressing their emotions.

Clients vs. Patients

People seek the help of a therapist for various reasons, which can be broadly categorized into two levels: client-level and patient-level concerns.

Client-Level Concerns: If you have issues or situations that bother you but your essential functioning isn’t impaired, this is considered a client-level concern. In this case, you are healthy and managing your life; however, you want to improve its quality. For instance, you might want to enhance relationships, boost personal effectiveness, and derive more joy.
Patient-Level Concerns: Conversely, if you experience a decline in well-being or have medical conditions such as sleep and appetite disturbances, significant anxiety or depression, apathy, psychosomatic illnesses (like hypertension, gastritis, ulcers, asthma, neurodermatitis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome), or if you engage in risky behaviors or excessive alcohol consumption, these are patient-level concerns. These issues often persist for many years without resolution, typically because they have been endured rather than addressed with a personal solutions.

Understanding the Difference

All problems come with emotional experiences. Emotions provide the energy needed for actions that resolve situations. Once the situation is resolved, a person can relax emotionally. However, when no action is taken, emotions are suppressed and pushed into the unconscious, leading to internal tension and physical symptoms. Consequently, this can manifest as physical discomfort or pain, which, though unpleasant, might be easier to address with medical help than dealing with unresolved emotions.

To help someone at this stage, a comprehensive approach involving both medical treatment and psychotherapy is necessary. Psychotherapy in this context aims to uncover suppressed emotions that led to symptoms and then address the original problem. Unfortunately, many people only seek psychotherapy when they are in a severe condition. Therefore, a long-term commitment is often required, typically involving 1-2 sessions per week for a year or more.

The Desire to Handle It Alone

If you could handle it on your own, you would have already done so. This doesn’t mean you’re incapable; it just means that the methods you know are not suitable for the new situation. Often, people have conflicting internal tendencies that prevent them from resolving issues in a desirable way. There might be automatic behaviors that the person can’t recognize or separate from their identity. Even therapists seek therapy from other specialists for this reason.

What Does a Therapist Do?

A therapist helps you:

Understand how you are stuck in a situation and unable to resolve it.
Recognize your role in the problem, including personality traits and experiences that contributed to the situation.
Free yourself from distressing emotions.
Better understand and meet your needs.

However, a therapist does not do things for you, give you advice, or determine who is at fault. Instead, they help you find new ways to solve your problems. Seeking therapy is not about admitting defeat but about taking responsibility for your life and finding solutions that work for you.

Choosing a Therapist

Research shows that no single factor guarantees the effectiveness of psychotherapy. The therapist’s method, age, experience, and session cost don’t reliably predict outcomes. Instead, the most significant factors are the client’s motivation, hope for change, and the therapist’s personality. Therefore, listen to your instincts when choosing a therapist. If you’re ready to work on yourself and improve your life, you’ll find the right specialist for your needs. Personal therapy is not a sign of inadequacy but a reflection of your desire to take control of your life and become freer.

By seeking therapy, you take an important step toward improving the quality of your life, better understanding yourself and others, and building a more fulfilling existence.

At the Advanced Psychology Institute, our approach focuses on helping you navigate life’s challenges and achieve your personal goals. With experienced and compassionate therapists, we are here to support you on your journey to well-being.

Don’t wait until stress and discomfort take a toll on your health—reach out to us today.

Contact us now to schedule a consultation and start your path to a healthier, happier you.

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DISCLAIMER: The health info on this site is provided as an information resource only. It is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Consult our mental health providers before making any medical decisions.