I have friends, what do I need a therapist for?

What Can a Therapist Do that a Friend Can’t Do?

First of all, therapy is completely private—you can speak freely, without fear that your story will go where you’d rather it didn’t. Maybe there are things you’re afraid of or that embarrass you or make you feel sad, and you feel a need to talk about them. You can discuss them with friends or family, that’s true, but you might like the confidentiality that a therapist provides. Next, a therapist is trained to see your patterns, both good patterns and those that don’t work very well. For example, many people who continue to have the same kinds of relationship problems over and over can learn to make better choices in their behaviors and in finding suitable partners. Other people may have trouble getting along with people at work, difficulty making friends, or feelings of loneliness. As a therapist, I can help you to understand your own patterns, enhance the good patterns and identify and avoid the not so good. Friends, on the other hand, may not be totally honest with you, because they think they might hurt your feelings. I will always approach these sensitive topics with empathy, positivity and respect for you in order to be helpful.Therapy is really good at helping people with all kinds of relationships, because it is a kind of test relationship—you get to receive feedback while trying out new ways of being in a safe environment.

Can’t a Friend Provide Advice or Help You Figure Things Out?

Certainly, a friend may share ideas of what’s best for you and tell you what to do. A therapist can help you look deep inside to find your own solutions and teach you to remember that pathway so you can find it again when you need it. Therapists encourage self-reflection and empower people to find solutions on their own; these techniques can help people live more rewarding lives.

How Do You Know You’ve Met the Right Therapist?

As with any new person, when you first meet a therapist, you have to get to know and learn to trust the therapist.  Most often, you can feel it in your gut. Do you like each other? Do you think you could get comfortable with this person?It’s scary to begin treatment, and it’s awkward talking to a stranger about your personal life. All therapists have ways of helping people feel comfortable.