María García
Clinical Psychologist
HCPC registered, GMBPsS, MBACP
Why seek professional help?
Reaching out can be daunting, mainly because of stigma and the popular belief that seeing a psychologist or a therapist is only for seriously unwell people. However, asking for help when things feel overwhelming or when life becomes difficult, is a brave first step.
Psychotherapy (or simply therapy), offers a safe, confidential space for you to talk about things that may be confusing, painful or uncomfortable. It allows you to talk with someone who is trained to listen attentively and to help you improve things, focusing on increasing self-awareness as well as mental, emotional and relational well-being. Furthermore, therapy can be useful for anyone who wants to explore the way they are thinking or feeling further, as well as anyone experiencing a problem or issue they are keen to resolve.
There are many reasons why someone would start therapy, but here are a few that you might identify with:
Following a major life event, like a relationship break-up, bereavement, increased financial difficulties or an accident, as these may be causing distress, anxiety and/or fear. Feeling this way is totally normal, however, if the distress doesn’t improve over time, therapy can help resolve it.
When others express concern for you. Perhaps family members, friends or work colleagues have mentioned that they are worried or concerned about you, that you don’t seem yourself lately or that your behaviour is different. Therapy can help you find answers and gain more understanding and self-awareness.
Is therapy worth my time, money
and
effort?
If you find yourself repeating negative patterns or behaviours in your personal and/or professional relationships (e.g., arguments, fights, unhealthy behaviours) and you want to do something about them.
Close, intimate relationships are where we learn the most about ourselves. They have the ability to bring out the very best and worst in us. If your relationship with your partner, friend or family member is a repeated source of pain, consider consulting a professional.
If you have experienced abuse or traumatic experiences, once you have been hurt, it might be difficult to find the courage and strength to move on and to trust others. Therapy can support you find ways to move forward.
If you feel that your life is being significantly impacted by your mood or feeling state and the way you feel about yourself and your life (e.g., low self-esteem, issues with your body image, excessive worry and anxiety, constant low mood and experiences of sadness, and unhealthy habits like substance misuse, addictive behaviours or overspending).