This is a continuation from part 1 of Who can go to therapy? We also see these groups of people coming into therapy:
1. New Parents: The joy of becoming a parent is often accompanied by new challenges and adjustments. Sleepless nights, changes in roles, and the demands of caring for a newborn can contribute to stress and emotional strain, including postpartum mood shifts in new mothers. Therapy can provide new parents with a supportive space to discuss their feelings, address relationship dynamics, and navigate the complexities of parenthood, whether the parent is coming in as an individual or with the other parent.
2. Individuals Facing Grief and Loss: The grieving process is deeply personal and unique to each individual, and therapy offers a compassionate space for those dealing with the loss of a loved one. Whether it’s a recent loss or one from the past that continues to impact your life (also known as complicated grief), therapy can assist in processing grief, managing emotions, and finding ways to honor and remember the person you’ve lost.
3. LGBTQ+ Individuals: The LGBTQ+ community often faces unique challenges related to identity, coming out, discrimination, and acceptance. Therapy can be a safe and affirming space for individuals to explore their experiences, navigate societal pressures, and build resilience in the face of adversity. The barrier to seeking therapy for the LGBTQ+ community is usually fear of discrimination by mental health professionals, which is a very valid concern. At ABRI, we provide LGBTQ+ affirmative mental health services.
4. Professionals Facing Burnout: High-stress professions, such as healthcare workers, first responders, and corporate professionals, can lead to burnout and mental fatigue. It is not uncommon for people facing burnout or fatigue to seek therapy. Oftentimes burnout goes unrecognized but going to therapy can help create more awareness of what is happening to you or around you, including recognizing the signs of burnout.
5. Recovering from Trauma: Whether it’s big T or small T trauma, therapy is a way to process and move through trauma. Big T trauma refers to major, significant, or life-threatening events such as natural disasters, serious accidents, assault or exposure to war. Small t trauma refers to less severe or pervasive events that may still be distressing and have an impact on an individual’s well-being. Examples include frequent conflict in relationships, chronic exposure to stressors, unhealth work environments, or financial worries. Therapists trained in trauma-informed care can help individuals process traumatic memories, manage symptoms, and work towards reclaiming a sense of safety and control. At ABRI, many of our clinicians are trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy which is a modality used to process trauma.
6. Those Managing Chronic Illness: Living with a chronic illness can take a toll on both physical and mental well-being. Sometimes having the support of a therapist can help individuals cope with the challenges of managing their health, and explore strategies for maintaining a positive quality of life despite ongoing medical concerns.
7. Older Adults Adjusting to Retirement: Retirement brings significant life changes, including shifts in routine, identity, and social connections. This transition can often leave people grappling with the emotional aspects of retirement, such as feelings of loss of purpose or identity. Therapy can help older adults in navigating these transitions and finding new sources of fulfillment and meaning in their post-retirement lives.
8. People Exploring Spirituality: For those exploring their spiritual or existential beliefs, therapy can provide a space to delve into questions of purpose, meaning, and connection. Therapists can assist individuals in integrating their spiritual beliefs into their overall well-being and personal development.
I hope this post reflects how versatile therapy can be and how it isn’t just an avenue for people in crisis. Did you know that you could explore all these topics in therapy? What was your first impression of therapy?
Written by Weii Yie
Weii Yie is an associate therapist at ABRI where she primarily provides therapy to adults and adolescents. Her love for writing and passion for mental health are translated into these blog posts. Read more about who she is as a therapist on the Team page.