Let’s get one thing straight: therapy isn’t just for crisis mode. It’s not some whispered secret between folks who “can’t handle life.” Oh no. Therapy is for warriors. For the self-aware, the brave-hearted, and yes, the gloriously chaotic humans trying to juggle life without flipping a table every other Tuesday.
Why I Go to Therapy Every Other Week
I go to therapy every other week. Religiously. Like clockwork. And let me tell you, those 60-minute soul tune-ups? Pure gold. It’s a safe space where I get to untangle my thoughts, get permission (that I know I don’t need) to scream into the void (sometimes literally), do breathing and grounding exercises and most importantly, grow. And I’m not alone. Other members of my family regularly see therapists too, and honestly? I think it’s one of the strongest things we do.
The Benefits of Therapy: More Than Just Talking
Working with a professional gives you more than an emotional outlet. It gives you tools, coping mechanisms, and new ways of seeing the world. Someone who will hold space for you, with no interruptions, no judgment, and just full-on “you matter” energy. Therapy is self-care with a license. My therapist is wonderful, and I carry her nuggets of wisdom with me everywhere I go. I often share what I have learned with my parents and my kids.
Learning Not to Take Things Personally: The Second Agreement
At my last session, my therapist and I read part of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. If you haven’t picked it up yet, let this be your nudge. The second agreement…don’t take anything personally hit me like a truth bomb wrapped in velvet. We’re all starring in our own epic saga, and 99% of what people say or do has nothing to do with us. I’m learning this lesson with grace (and a few ugly cries), but the more I practice it, the more peace I find. I want to pass that wisdom on to my kids, imagine growing up not internalizing every side-eye or snide remark? Game-changer.
The Importance of Setting Boundaries for Mental Health
We also talked about boundaries—not the dramatic “I’m cutting you off” kind, but the healthy, gentle, self-respecting kind. Setting boundaries isn’t about building walls; it’s about laying down the welcome mat and the rules for entry. It’s how we teach people how to treat us. It’s how we honor our space, our needs, our peace. And no, it doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you smart.
Discovering the Power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Another gem I’ve uncovered in my therapy journey is Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT. Think of it as emotional ninja training. I’m not ashamed to share that it was a vital part of my session yesterday, as I had logged into my session amid great anxiety and frustration.
Originally developed to help people manage intense emotions and relationships, DBT teaches you to ride the emotional waves instead of getting pulled under. It combines mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and life-changing skills, whether you’re navigating anxiety, parenting, or just surviving group texts. For me, learning about DBT has added a whole new layer of empowerment to my mental health toolkit. I hope I won’t just be reacting anymore; I’ll be responding with intention and clarity.
How to Find a Therapist That’s Right for You
So yeah, therapy? I highly recommend it. I found my therapist (and my daughter’s) through Psychology Today. It’s a great starting point if you’re looking for someone who gets you. Whether it’s anxiety, burnout, grief, relationships, or just general “what even is happening right now,” there’s someone out there ready to help.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Time to Normalize Therapy
This May, as we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s normalize the check-ins, the tears, the breakthroughs. Let’s stop treating vulnerability like weakness and start recognizing it for what it is: courage on full display. It takes guts to face your inner world and even more to rewrite the script. But it’s worth it.
Resources to Start Your Mental Health Journey:
- Psychology Today – Find a Therapist
- Mental Health America – Tools & Support
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Your mind deserves care, just like your body. Let’s make therapy part of the new normal, because the best version of you is waiting.
