Talk Yourself Into Therapy.

Why is it so hard to talk yourself into making that first appointment with a therapist? Probably the same reason it is so hard to get yourself to the gym. Honestly, its just hard. Its uncomfortable. There are unknowns - BUT, you will feel better after you do.

If you’re at the point in your journey where you are saying to yourself “something has to give or I’m going to break,” therapy should be happening now. I’ve had a lot of people say to me “I can’t afford therapy” or “I can’t afford the time therapy takes.” Let me ask you this: can you afford to not go to therapy?

For so many people, they can’t remember a time where they felt good or even know where to start to get better. That’s why you have somebody beside you along for the journey. Therapy helps you feel like you don’t have to hold all of it alone. Making that first appointment is a commitment to yourself and a dedication to healing and growth — who wouldn’t want that?

I’m going to propose something: do it before you feel like it. Make an appointment before you can talk yourself out of it. This is one of the basic principles I often talk about in therapy — behavioral activation. Behavioral activation is the intellectual commitment we make for our own good while we are still ambivalent.

What’s likely to happen when you make that first call or email to your therapist? Your therapist will likely ask you for a brief description of what brings you to therapy, give you information about themselves, let you ask questions, and leave it up to you if you’d like to make an appointment. No pressure at all. Just a conversation.

So, what I’m trying to say is, if you’re on the fence, jump off and onto the plush, green, therapy side. The fact that you’re thinking about therapy should tell you something.

Oh, and call me.