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Why We Shouldn't View Therapy as a 'Last Resort'

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There is a link in many people’s minds that if someone is in therapy, then their life must be in crisis, and they must be on the verge of a breakdown.

This is a common and detrimental myth which only fuels the stigma of seeking help when your mental health isn’t on top form.

Let me get this straight…

We all have mental health.

…in the exact same way we have physical health. Sometimes it is crap, other times it is fit as a fiddle and often it’s somewhere in between. But there is still such a disconnect in the way we look at mental health in ourselves and in others. We don’t just go to see the doctor when things are falling apart, we go to prevent things from falling apart later.

Going to therapy when you are on the verge is super important and one of the best gifts you can give to yourself.

Going to therapy when you are not on the verge is super important and one of the best gifts you can give to yourself.

You can learn so so so so so much about yourself, about how you think/feel/love/hate/avoid/trust/embrace etc. which can make for such a meaningful life.

The more we know and understand about anything the less we can fear it. This is also true of ourselves. The more we know, the more we understand and the less we fear.

So the next time you hear someone is in therapy, don’t assume the worst in their life, and don’t feel like yours has to be before you can reach out and get support.

Support is out there, sometimes you just have to ask.

Getty Images photo via shironosov

Originally published: February 22, 2018
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