How well do you understand the benefits of therapy?
Expecting relief from a specific condition is certainly one benefit you can expect.
But therapy offers a wide range of benefits for your mental and emotional well-being – benefits many people aren’t aware of.
Our cultural background might inhibit us from recognizing these benefits and taking advantage of them. We might have family members or friends who could benefit from therapy – but have no idea how to explain those benefits to them.
Previous less-than-positive experiences may make it difficult to see the benefits of therapy.
Understanding the benefits you can expect from therapy, and helping those we care about recognize those benefits, can be the difference between suffering and finding relief.
Misty Brueckner, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the Fort Myers Elite DNA clinic, shares her insights into these issues and more.
Wondering if you could benefit from therapy? Search for your nearest Elite DNA location in Florida and schedule an appointment today!
What are 5 common benefits of therapy?
Understanding the benefits of therapy isn’t always easy. This is why we have experts in clinical therapy and psychiatry to help guide you to the right resources. However, therapy will almost definitely show benefits in the following areas:
- Improved Emotional Regulation
Therapy helps you identify and understand emotions. It will also help you to process them in healthier ways. Therapy commonly involves the development of more effective coping mechanisms for difficult emotions. - Enhanced Communication Skills
Therapy can teach you how to communicate more effectively, express yourself assertively, and actively listen to others. And better communication skills can often mean healthier relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. - Increased Self-Esteem and Confidence
Therapy helps you develop self-compassion and acceptance. Challenging negative self-beliefs and cultivating a more positive self-image leads to increased confidence and a better self-image. - Improved Problem-Solving Skills
Therapy equips you with skills to manage stress better, overcome challenges, and handle conflict in constructive ways. With these problem-solving skills, you’ll be capable of navigating difficult situations more effectively. - Greater Resilience
Therapy increases your ability to handle life’s inevitable challenges and setbacks. You’ll develop skills to cope with challenging situations and bounce back from difficult experiences.
“Therapy can be very empowering because it fosters resilience, and it increases self-awareness,” says Brueckner. “We can recognize our emotions and understand how our emotions influence our actions.”
Can cultural background or upbringing influence how someone views the benefits of therapy?
Different cultures have different views on mental health. Some might focus on physical symptoms instead of emotional ones. That can make it more difficult to recognize the benefits like emotional resilience and regulation.
Some cultures have strong stigmas around mental health and therapy that discourage people from seeking help – and can lead them to ignore or downplay their symptoms.
Cultures also differ in how emotions are expressed, and some may discourage open emotional expression. They might emphasize self-reliance, and discourage seeking therapy.
How can therapists better address these variations?
Therapists can create a more welcoming and effective environment by being mindful and knowledgeable about these cultural variations.
They’ll be aware of someone’s cultural background and how it might influence their views on mental health. This helps create a safe space to allow someone to express themselves freely, regardless of their cultural background. They can also learn more about someone’s cultural values and beliefs and tailor their approach to that person’s treatment.
They’ll also work to build rapport by finding common ground and using culturally appropriate language.
Brueckner reminds us that therapy helps us build better connections, “Therapy can strengthen social skills, which help build and maintain relationships. This could be with family, coworkers, and friends. And it teaches us effective communication,” she states.
By being mindful of cultural differences, a therapist can create a welcoming and effective environment for people from all backgrounds.
Can I help family members or friends understand the benefits of therapy?
There are several ways to help someone you care about understand the benefits of therapy without seeming overly pushy or intrusive.
The first is simply to express concern and care for the person.
Start by offering a caring ear. And show empathy. Having someone to talk to, someone who doesn’t show judgment can be a big help. This will help them understand the benefit of having someone to talk to.
Validate their feelings with phrases like, “It sounds like you’re going through a tough time,” or, “I can see why you’d be feeling overwhelmed.” Let them know their struggles are real.
Let them know how their behavior makes you feel by using “I” statements. Instead of saying “You seem withdrawn,” you can say, “I’ve noticed you haven’t been yourself lately. Is everything okay?” This removes any feeling of accusation and creates a space for discussion.
You can also normalize therapy by showing support for it.
Mention articles you’ve read or experiences you’ve had with therapy. Mention positive therapy benefits like improved coping skills and stronger relationships. You might offer to help them find services or therapists in the area – and offer to schedule appointments for them if they’re interested.
Be sure to respect their boundaries. Don’t pressure someone into seeking therapy. Remember, the decision to seek help is theirs. Getting pushy or making them feel guilty will make them feel less inclined to seek help, not more. Avoid being judgmental. Don’t criticize their coping mechanisms – and don’t try to diagnose them.
Change takes time. The best thing you can do is create a safe space for them to open up and recognize the benefits of therapy. Just be there and be supportive of them throughout their journey.
Are there benefits from therapy after a previous negative experience?
Brueckner affirms, “Finding the right therapist is definitely going to be the key to a successful therapy process.”
Most of the time, a negative therapeutic experience is the result of a bad fit between patient and therapist. Different therapists have different specialties and use different approaches. Thus, finding the right patient-therapist connection is the key to successful therapy.
Start by considering what made an experience negative in the past. Was it the therapist’s personality, or was it their approach to treatment?
Brueckner also advises us to “… think ahead at what goals you possibly will have for therapy going into it, knowing what it is that you want to work on and what are the areas of concern.”
Think about it with this mindset:
- Get clear about your needs and goals.
- Be upfront about any past experiences and what you’re hoping to gain from therapy this time.
- Read your potential therapist’s online bio beforehand.
- Ask questions about their approach before committing to therapy.
Remember, if you have a specific concern, look for therapists who specialize in that area.
“Some people really love telehealth because of the convenience,” says Brueckner.
If in-person therapy doesn’t suit your needs, Telehealth may offer more benefits.
And if you don’t feel a connection with a therapist, it’s okay to find someone else who better suits your needs and personality.
Looking ahead, how do you see the field of psychiatry and therapy evolving to better meet the needs of future generations?
Increasing the focus on prevention and early intervention will be very impactful.
Making mental health screenings as common as physical check-ups would allow for earlier intervention and prevention of more serious issues. Mental health services like psychiatry and therapy could become more integrated with primary care to make getting help easier.
Genetic and brain imaging technologies will improve, creating more specific interventions for individual risk factors.
Treatment technologies like telehealth, VR therapy, AI, and mobile apps will continue to evolve, increasing access and quality of care for more people.
And hopefully, societal attitudes will continue to be more accepting of mental health care. Outdated stigmas would continue to be reduced, mental health care would be more openly discussed, and there would be a greater focus on holistic well-being (physical, mental, emotional, and social).
Brueckner also tells us that there’s already a lot of movement toward removing outdated stigmas.
“There’s a lot of different platforms out there on social media and lots of people that are trying to work toward breaking down the stigma of mental health,” says Brueckner.
If you’re wondering if you or someone you care about could benefit from therapy, just contact us. We’ll be happy to talk about our approach, the therapies we use, and address any other concerns you might have.
Remember, when you need help, we’re here for you at Elite DNA.
Are you ready to connect to a compassionate team that knows how to get you the help you need? Find your nearest Elite DNA location and book an appointment today!
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