Should you see a therapist? Ask yourself these 7 questions

Should you see a therapist? Ask yourself these 7 questions

Posted on March 5, 2021

COVID-19 has tested us in many ways. Here’s how to determine if talking with a professional might help. There’s little doubt that a lot of people are struggling to cope right now. And it's not hard to see why. People are facing a lot of challenges: anxiety about getting sick, losing loved ones, grief over lost experiences, social unrest, unemployment, hunger and so much more, said Dr. Ken Duckworth, NAMI CMO. “What we have is a full-blown mental health pandemic as well.” Not to mention nearly everyone’s in-person social lives and human interactions and connection have been limited in some way during the pandemic, Duckworth added. Your therapist’s role is to focus on you and what you’re going through and dealing with and has training to help you better understand how to cope and can be honest with you without fear of hurting a friendship. You’re not signing your life away just because you make an appointment with a therapist. Some people are looking for a long-term relationship when it comes to therapy. For others, one to three sessions of therapy can really help, Duckworth explained. Every provider has a unique personality, too, that may or may not suit you, Duckworth said. It’s okay to tell your therapist he or she isn’t a good match. People in your life whom you trust can be really helpful in pointing you in the right direction or recommending providers they’ve worked with, Duckworth said. Or start with your primary care provider.