Have you ever wondered why you should see a therapist when you have great friends and supportive family that you can trust?
There are many differences between a trained therapist and trusted friends/family.
It is encouraged that those who seek mental health or addiction counseling also create a strong social network. A therapist is not a replacement for other supports in your life.
Therapists are trained to listen with a nonjudgmental and unbiased lens with the intention of supporting you rather than giving advice.
When seeking counseling, these are a few things that therapists can assist you with that a friend or loved one might not be able to do:
- Provide honest, unbiased feedback
- Challenge you in a nonjudgment and supportive way
- Create a safe space to disclose challenging truths
- Allow you to feel seen, heard and validated.
- Teach new strategies to cope.
- Keep everything that you say confidential.
- Help you find your own answers.
- Provide new insight and information when needed.
- Provide a space to process feelings without judgement.
- Provide a space to talk aloud about things you may need clarity on.
- Provide a space where you don’t feel pressured to do anything that goes against your values.
