By Toni Teixeira, LCSW

Originally published by Upjourney with insights from other mental health professionals

If you want your mental health to improve…

Get out of the bubble bath

First off, anytime, especially right now, is the best time to see a therapist. Who doesn’t need someone to pay complete and devoted attention to them in the world of buzzing phones and multiple distractions?

You see TikTokers encouraging you to do “self-care” to improve your mental health. But the fact of the matter is that therapy is the ultimate self-care, so get out of the bubble bath and take a look on the inside with a therapist.

Get on the “couch”

The stigma of mental health has kept some people away from seeking therapy.

However, to have someone listen to you and give you their undivided attention so that you can sort through your thoughts and feelings is not a luxury but the highest form of self-care and can lead to improved mental health.

We live in a world where we constantly are exposed to the exploits of others and for some that constant comparison can set them up for bashing themselves and can lead to a downward spiral. And in our busy world, where it is easier to look up advice on what to do, we know that knowing what to do and learning how to do it are very different things.

A mental health professional can help you unlock your own wisdom and help you build trust in yourself to experiment with different ways you can make a change.

Therapy is a unique process that is tailored to your needs. Well-meaning friends often share advice and want to fix problems quickly.

They often don’t spend time to allow you to talk so you can sort through your own emotions and hear yourself. Therapy helps you take that deep dive safely and learn new skills.

Get back on your feet

If you are struggling and wondering, should I see a therapist? Does this problem warrant going to see a professional? Chances are, if you are asking that question, I would say, “yup.”

But here is the marker for professionals, and it is even an important part of planning goals with a client. Do you feel like you need to get “back” to yourself somehow?

Therapists will ask about your level of functioning before you were struggling. If you feel like you’re not acting and thinking like you usually do, then it is probably a good indicator that it is time to speak to a therapist.

Also, if you have had difficulty before and were able to figure it out, but this time it seems harder, then that is a good indicator to find a therapist who can help you navigate your issues.

If your main goal is to get back to where you were before, you can benefit from working with a therapist.

I would definitely encourage you to make some calls and find a therapist who is a good fit for you, so you get back on your feet and feel like yourself again.

Click here to see how other mental health professionals answered this question.