How do I know if I need therapy?
Why Therapy is Like Seeing a Personal Trainer
The other day, I was working with a relatively new client who initially reached out because of severe anxiety triggered by major life challenges. She had never been in therapy before, and as we worked together, she began to feel better. Eventually, she asked a question I hear often: “Should I still be in therapy now that I’m feeling better?”
I shared with her one of my favorite analogies: therapy is like working with a personal trainer at the gym.
Therapy is for Everyone, Just Like Personal Training
Working with a personal trainer isn’t just for beginners — even experienced athletes benefit from expert guidance. Therapy works the same way. Whether you're managing stress, dealing with anxiety, or simply seeking personal growth, therapy can be helpful at any stage of mental health.
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy, just like you don’t need to be out of shape to work with a personal trainer. Both are focused on continuous improvement and reaching your fullest potential.
Custom Plans for Your Mental and Emotional Health
When you start working with a personal trainer, they assess your fitness level to create a customized workout plan. As a therapist, I take the same approach. I assess my client’s mental and emotional well-being, then design a plan that fits their unique needs and goals.
Some therapy sessions may feel challenging, just like tough workouts at the gym, but over time, you grow stronger — both mentally and emotionally.
Building Flexibility and Resilience
In fitness, flexibility is essential for avoiding injury and staying mobile. Similarly, therapy builds mental flexibility. It helps you adapt to change, challenge rigid thought patterns, and approach problems from new perspectives.
Whether it’s physical or mental, flexibility makes you more resilient, allowing you to handle life's challenges with more ease and confidence.
Temporary Guidance for Long-Term Independence
Just like a personal trainer’s job is to teach you how to maintain your fitness on your own, therapy is designed to be temporary. A good therapist gives you the tools and strategies to navigate life independently.
Over time, you’ll gain the confidence and skills to manage your mental health on your own. You might check in occasionally — just like some people revisit trainers for a tune-up — but the goal is self-sufficiency.
I often tell my clients when we first start working together: “My goal is for you to eventually fire me for a good reason.” I want you to become your own therapist, so that, over time, you no longer need me. This is the most rewarding part of being a psychologist — seeing my clients grow into becoming their own therapist.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If you're curious about beginning your journey toward mental strength and resilience, feel free to reach out and learn more by visiting www.embarkpsychology.com or emailing info@embarkpsychology.com.
