You’ve done it, and you’ve seen other people do it, right? Waiting for things to get undeniably bad before getting the help you need?
This is a completely normal habit. You are focusing on whatever is on fire, on whoever needs something from you, instead of looking straight at the patterns and behaviors that keep creating the stress and pain in your life.
Not only is this normal, this is a useful strategy…to a point. You can keep a lot of people happy while keeping yourself on track.
But the problem is that continuing to avoid getting help because, “I feel overwhelmed all the time but this ‘doesn’t count as an emergency,” will catch up with you. Small issues become big problems all of the sudden.
The Cost of Waiting for a Therapy Emergency
Waiting until you’re in a full-blown crisis to seek help is like waiting for your car to break down on the side of the highway before you ever change the oil. It’s a reactive approach to a problem that could have been prevented, and you know how much a tow and a big repair bill cost.
Mental and emotional health work similarly. The small, unresolved stressors, like a disappointing work interaction, the family member who tap dances on your nerves, or the panic-inducing thought that wakes you up first thing in the morning, they need your attention. Otherwise, they build up over time.
And that’s how burnout, anxiety, and feeling completely disconnected from your own life starts.
Therapy as a Proactive Tool of Resilience
Therapy has a role in helping people recover in emergency situations. I regularly help people develop plans with clients in crisis to stay safe, stay out of the hospital, self-regulate long enough to make it to the psychiatrist, or address their self-destructive patterns before it’s too late.
I love that work, and if you need that, contact me and let me know how I can help.
But I also want you to treat therapy not just like a doctor’s visit, but like a visit to the gym, park, or walking buddy. You can workout to recover from an injury, illness, or surgery, but you can also work out to build strength and resilience.
Therapy tools and self-awareness can help you prevent future problems.
Side note: This is why I do not let your insurance company determine your goals, how many sessions you can have, or your definition of recovery. When you work with me, we decide on those things together first. The benefit of paying out of pocket and utilizing your Out-of-Network benefits is that those decisions are in your hands, not your insurance company.
I love so many aspects of helping people with EMDR therapy, but one of my favorites is when someone comes to therapy and says:
“You’d be so proud of me…XYZ happened [at work/with my husband/with my mom], and even though I wanted to cuss em out, I was able to use my coping skills and have a productive discussion instead.”
…and yes, I am ALWAYS so proud to hear it!
If You Need a Good Stretch and Workout in Your Mind and Heart…
The truth is, you’ve already waited long enough. Working with a therapist is a sign of commitment to your future self.
It means you’re not waiting for a crisis to take control of your life. Instead, you’re getting into position to shape your life, and handle your life, whatever may come!
Don’t let small things fester. Come on into therapy, drop off your baggage, leave lighter, stronger, more resilient, and most importantly, ready to receive the blessings and challenges ahead!
If EMDR Therapy in California sounds like just what you need, CONTACT ME to get started!