As human beings, we all share a desire for a sense of purpose, peace, and belonging. We seek love and happiness. But the hardships of life may distance us from these emotional and spiritual needs. And the farther away we become, the more pain builds.
If you’ve hit “rock bottom,” know that deep beneath your pain lies resiliency, which is stronger than any struggle. You can be resilient, but it may take some help to overcome grief or quell any suffering. Therapy can provide you with the tools and support to become resilient—not only changing your life, but transforming it. Here are four ways therapy can bring you to your feet, so you can not only walk but soar.
Regain Power
Feeling like you’ve lost control—or that you lose control often—is a sign of emotional distress. Driving a loss of control are triggers, which Therapist Aid refers to as a stimulus that contributes to an unwanted emotional or behavioral response. Does numbing the pain with alcohol, heated anger, overwhelming sadness, toxic jealousy or crippling fear sound all too familiar?
Therapy helps point you in the direction of these triggers as you learn how to make changes (to your environment, relationships, thought processes) to avoid them. If you can’t avoid one, you can then learn how to manage and deal with it head-on. You’ll discover the power to react in a non-harmful way. Emotions and physical behaviors become a choice, rather than a negative involuntary reaction.
Break Free
While triggers can disrupt the rhythm of your life, self-limiting beliefs can hold you back. Generalizations from the past and a tunnel vision on misfortunes, failures or disappointments can uphold these belief systems. You may have conditioned yourself to justify these belief systems as truth. Consider the “self-fulfilling prophecy:” what you believe to be true, is. We can be our own worst enemy, or our biggest advocate.
Counseling provides the framework to help dismantle these belief systems—and rebuild new ones that are empowering. Learn to detach yourself from the psychological and emotional states that lock you into attitudes of “I can’t, “I’m not” or “I don’t deserve.” Reconditioning your mindset helps build new beliefs that shape your life’s positive stories.
Find a Support System
Many counseling services offer group therapy sessions where people meet over problems like depression, anger management or addiction. People may join to cope with loss, low self-esteem or obesity. Over time, these groups grow into a safe, non-judgmental community where you can express yourself and know you’re not alone. Group members, along with the psychologist who leads the session, provide diverse perspectives outside the situation. Although talking to friends and family is beneficial, talking with those who share your experiences welcomes objective responses without an emotional investment or hidden agenda. (5)(6)
Prioritize Self-Care
In therapy, you’re the star. You’re encouraged to put your wellness, your wellbeing, at center stage. Together, you and your counselor can develop a plan of attack that addresses mental, physical and spiritual self-care practices. A professional will provide the tools and coping mechanisms to help you achieve good mental and emotional health, as well as help you stay on track. Maybe it’s as small as taking a shower and getting dressed every day. It could be to stop drinking, make time to relax or prioritize sleep. No matter what you need to focus on, self-care will help you self-heal and reach your wellness. (7)(8)
Be Resilient
If you’re struggling and can’t seem to find sunshine among the darkness, reach out to a certified therapist. Check out our article about online therapy to learn how you can benefit from therapy through avoiding triggers, believing in yourself, group therapy and self-care. Remember, you’re not alone, and you have what it takes to move forward and up.
