Therapy Reduces Suffering
Therapy, or psychotherapy, is the process of meeting with a therapist for the purpose of resolving problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings, and/or somatic responses (sensations in the body). Therapy can address and resolve a large number of specific concerns, issues, and symptoms. You can find a list of issues commonly treated in therapy, here.
Therapy Promotes Self-Actualization
Therapy is also a very effective method of self-growth and self-actualization. In addition to overcoming barriers and helping people to release extreme beliefs and feelings, therapy can help people to increase many positive qualities of Self, such as joy, compassion, peace, self-esteem, spiritual connection, and love. Many people enjoy therapy and relish the journey of becoming more conscious about themselves, their inner world, and their relationships with others.
Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are “Crazy”
The belief that people who go to therapy are “crazy” or “damaged” is false. The most common demographic of therapy goers include everyday, ordinary people struggling with everyday, human problems, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. Only a small percentage of people undergoing psychotherapy qualify as having a serious mental illness; and these folks typically find their way into programs that offer a higher level of care than the average private practice therapist can offer. If a person is afraid of being judged as crazy by others or by their own inner-critic for going to therapy, then therapy would be especially useful in building self-esteem and freeing one from the limitations of what others think.