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4 signs that you should go to therapy

Repost from the HuffPost Healthy Living

Ben Michaelis, Ph.D. Become a fan 

Clinical psychologist; Author, 'Your Next Big Thing: 10 Small Steps to Get Moving and Get Happy'; Co-founder, Downtown Clinicians Collective

4 Signs That You Should Go to Therapy

Posted: 04/14/2014 8:40 am EDT Updated: 04/14/2014 8:59 am EDTPrint Article

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"If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail." -- Abraham Maslow

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I believe in the power of therapy. With the right connection between a therapist and patient/client* amazing changes are possible. I have experienced this on both sides of the proverbial couch, and I am both proud and fortunate that I am a clinical psychologist.

However, I am not like the "hammer" holder who sees every problem as a nail -- I do not believe that therapy is the end all, be all -- the one and only place to get help for problems. Nor do I think that therapy is right for everyone.

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I recently had a friend who was feeling stuck reach out to me to ask if she should start seeing a therapist, or if there was something else she should be doing to help get moving in her life.

In speaking with her, I considered a few factors, just as I would for anyone who is seeking treatment. My friend is a very smart woman, but she had never been to therapy before. When I was assessing her, I realized that some of these were new concepts for her. After our call, I thought that it would be useful to share some of these ideas with others who are considering "the talking cure."

Here are the first four things I consider when determining if someone should go to therapy:

Should you go to therapy?

1. Repeating Problems: Do you often find that you are getting into the same types of problems over and over again? For example, do some of the conflicts you are having with co-workers or friends feel familiar to you? Do you often end up with similar constructive feedback about your behavior when you get feedback at your job?

2. Repeating Relationships: Do you tend to get into the same types of dysfunctional relationships over and over again? For example, do you find that no matter how hard you try to do things differently, you end up dating men who could be gold medalists at the self-centered Olympics, or you routinely date overbearing women who try to run your life?

3. Repeating Patterns: Do you rely on only one or two short-term coping strategies when you are in distress? For example, when you are having a tough time at work, or with friends do you typically head right for unhealthy food, impulse shop, watch endless/mindless TV or Internet, or use alcohol or drugs to block it all out?

4. Repeating Concerns: Have at least two of your friends (who don't speak to each other) expressed concerns about your well-being, or suggested that you might need professional help?

If one or more of these ideas apply to you, it may be worth making some inquiries for a trusted therapist in your area. In terms of finding the right therapist for you, I believe that the most important factor -- along with appropriate training and experience -- is comfort level. If you feel at ease sharing your thoughts and feelings with the therapist, it's usually a positive sign of a developing therapeutic relationship. The therapist you choose should be engaged, non-judgmental, and well, helpful. If any of these qualities are lacking in the therapist you picked, you picked the wrong one for you, and it's time to move on. However, do keep looking. Many times it takes a few meetings with the wrong therapist until you find the right one (just like with dating!).

I hope this little primer was useful to you, and if you decide not to go to therapy, that's fine too (we will consider some of the alternatives to traditional therapy in my next post). Again, not every problem is solved with a hammer and nail, just as long as you keep an open mind for the other tools that are out there.

*I was trained to call the people I care for "patients." Some of my colleagues use the term "clients." I don't like either of these terms because "patient" implies illness, and I don't think that many of the people I see are "ill." The term "client" suggests too much of a business relationship. I tend to revert to the term "patient" because I care deeply for the people I work with, but I am aware that it is an imperfect term.

Dr. Ben Michaelis is a clinical psychologist in full-time private practice in Manhattan. Dr. Michaelis writes and speaks regularly about mental health, creativity, spirituality and motivation. He is the author of numerous popular and scholarly articles and is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. Dr. Michaelis is a frequent guest on nationally syndicated TV shows such as, NBC's The Today Show, The Hallmark Channel's Home & Family, and MSNBC's Your Business. Dr. Michaelis is the author of Your Next Big Thing: 10 Small Steps to Get Moving and Get Happy.

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