Why You Need Therapy
A critical part of self-care is addressing your mental health
You need to go to therapy.
This is your gentle but firm reminder that mental health is part—perhaps the most crucial one—of your overall health.
Physical exercise, a healthy diet, getting enough sleep—all of those matter and impact your mental health. But there is nothing quite like talking to someone who is trained in all the ways our mind can help and hinder us.
I have been talking about mental health therapy for years because it has helped me so much.
In reflecting on this article, though, I realized I had been making a huge historical error.
I traced the beginnings of my experiences with mental health back to my seminary days. They offered it for free to students, and we were assigned to other students in the school’s marriage and family therapy program so they could log clinical hours. 😬
Actually, my experience goes back even further to when I was an undergraduate in college. They, too, offered therapy for free to students and, I remember going a few times to figure out my major and get help adjusting to college life.
That backstory leads to the first reason why you need therapy.
This article is part of the Saturday Series on self-care for paid subscribers. You are welcome to become a supporter today!
Part 1 - On Soft Mornings and Self-Care
Part 2 - Thinking Peripatetically
Part 3 - Morning Pages