Not Just Talk

When you reach a place in your life where you need professional help, it is often hard to know where to start or what to expect. The images of therapy we see in movies and on TV add to the confusion. It might be what keeps people from taking action before they reach rock bottom. Fear of the unknown is powerful and will often keep us from taking a step toward the help we need, in that important window of opportunity, before it becomes a crisis.

So, what is therapy, really?

Well, it’s not just talk. At least it shouldn’t be. Don’t get me wrong, there is talking, but more importantly there is listening. Really listening. Without judgement. The emotional safety a good therapist provides for you to “spill your guts” in private, if that’s what you need to do, is worth every penny. But good therapy is more than that.

Therapy is about learning you have options. It’s about trying something new, experimenting with a different way of thinking, or acting. It’s about understanding yourself better and deciding who you really want to be, rather than just letting life happen to you. It’s about having someone in your corner who really cares without the expectations that are a normal part of the other relationships in your life. Your therapist won’t be disappointed in you, if you tried, but failed. They won’t take it personal. They know it’s not about them. Instead, they will support you in getting back up, dusting yourself off, and re-evaluating your next move.

Good therapy is grounded in compassion. But it can’t stop there. People in pain want tools, they want solutions, they want things to change. Contrary to the images in the media, many therapists use scientifically proven methods that can really make a difference for someone trying to heal a broken relationship, or someone who feels hopeless with depression, or someone who can’t leave the house because of panic attacks. We don’t often see that side of therapy in the movies.

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The truth about therapy is that healing and health is possible. It can be hard to take the first step, but if you know what to expect, it can be easier. If you or someone you know is going through something hard, now might be the perfect time to reach out for professional help, because it’s not just talk. It’s therapy.