Five Surprising Benefits of Therapy
You might think of therapy the same way you think of a doctor’s office: You have a specific problem that needs to be addressed, and you’re ready for a professional to help you heal.
And while therapy is obviously the ideal place to address any mental health challenges you’re facing, its benefits stretch far beyond what you think.
Here at KMA Therapy, we know that deciding to attend therapy is a huge investment of your energy, time, and money. You want to be sure that you’re making the right decision – and we’re here to answer any questions you might have.
After reading this article, you’ll know five surprising ways that therapy can improve your mental health and your quality of life.
5 Ways Therapy Can Improve Your Life
Many people who attend therapy end up addressing issues they never even knew they were experiencing.
Here are five ways that therapy can improve your life beyond your mental health.
1. Therapy Improves Your Emotional Regulation
You might come to therapy to address a specific issue – maybe you’re experiencing panic attacks or dealing with depression. But working through these challenges in therapy will help you develop emotional regulation skills that can help you in every area of your life.
Emotional regulation can help you identify strong emotions and choose how you respond to them, rather than reacting on your first instincts.
Emotional regulation skills can lead to:
- Less self-destructive behaviour
- More overall positive emotions
- Improved choices in social situations
Improved emotional regulation will help you identify your behavioural triggers and choose how to respond to situations without escalating them or making them worse.
2. Therapy Can Boost Your Communication Skills
Therapy is a place where exceptional communication is necessary for success. Your therapist will model attentive listening and intentional conversation techniques to help you make the best progress possible.
The self-reflection necessary in the therapy process can help you learn more about how you like to communicate, and in turn, help you learn how to better communicate with others.
Therapy can help you learn how to openly and honestly communicate your feelings with empathy – and these skills will help you far beyond the walls of your therapist’s office.
3. Therapy Can Help You Learn More About Your Interests
Maybe you’ve never considered journaling, but your therapist insists it will help you connect with your emotions. You give it a try and realize you love writing.
Maybe you’ve always thought meditation was a bit silly, but your therapist convinces you to listen to one guided meditation. You realize you love it, and start meditating every day.
Therapy provides a place to explore new ways of healing while teaching you more about what you like (and dislike!) These fresh perspectives can translate to other areas of your life, and you might find yourself being more creative than you’ve ever been in the past.
4. Therapy Can Teach Your How to Build Healthier Habits
Therapy can often be the place you turn to when you’re in crisis mode. You know something is wrong and you need help to fix it.
But once the crisis has passed, you have more mental energy to dedicate to other areas of your life.
Therapy can help you transition out of survival mode and let you spend time creating a life that doesn’t just feel okay, but truly allows you to thrive.
Therapy can help you reflect on your habits, including your:
- Sleep habits
- Exercise habits
- Technology use
- Substance intake
- Stress management
Your therapist can help you create routines that set you up for success and give you a stronger foundation to stand on the next time a challenge arises.
5. Therapy Can Help Renew Your Sense of Self-Confidence
The past can often impact you more than you realize. You go on a bad date, they say something a bit off-putting, and suddenly you’re back in high school getting rejected by your crush.
Therapy can help you unroot and address past situations that you didn’t know were still lingering in your subconscious.
This can boost your sense of self-worth and self-confidence, leaving you feeling more prepared to handle whatever comes your way.
Next Steps for Beginning Your Therapy Journey
After reading this article, you know five new ways that therapy can help improve your life.
Here at KMA Therapy, our experienced team of therapists has been serving our community for over 14 years. We’re here to help you have the best therapy experience possible and thrive in all areas of your life.
Book an appointment today or reach out to our caring team with any questions you might have.
If you’re not yet ready to book an appointment, check out these resources to keep learning:
