What is Therapy For?

As someone who is currently studying and aspiring to become a therapist, I get curious to hear what those around me think about therapy. Recently, I asked one of my close friends if she would ever want to try out therapy. “Therapy? No, no, I don’t need therapy, I don’t have a mental illness” is what she replied. I was a bit taken aback since her tone of voice was a bit defensive, but then I realized this can be a very common misconception of what therapy is and who it’s for. If all we know about therapy is what we see in popular media like movies or TV shows, we can have misconceptions like the one my friend had about what therapy really is. We also lose the opportunity of reaping the great benefits therapy can have for everyone.

Therapy is not exclusive to certain individuals with mental health issues. Just as couples or family therapy is not exclusive to those on the brink of divorce or with troubled families. As part of my education, I have learned how therapy is a tool that can be utilized by anyone who may desire it for a variety of reasons:

To manage mental illness symptoms

To have a professional resource on one’s journey of personal growth

To work toward personal goals in one’s life

To enhance one’s marriage

To provide support for the family

To get perinatal/reproductive aid

To cope with stress or grief

To heal from trauma

To navigate life changes, and more!

If any of these reasons fit your needs, Carnelia has wonderful therapists that can support you. On top of that, Carnelia provides personalized mental health care for each of its clients. Now, let’s go back to my friend I talked to. After explaining more about what else therapy can provide, I am happy to report that she has a better understanding of what therapy is, and how it can help her if she ever decided to try it out. I hope this has also broadened your understanding of what therapy is and how it can be inclusive rather than exclusive.

Undergraduate intern, Jade Umanzor