Published Date|

October 25, 2022

5 Signs it’s Time to See a Therapist

We’ve all heard it before – life is full of ups and downs.

It’s normal to go through periods when you’re feeling on top of the world, and it’s also normal to have these balanced out by feelings of stress, sadness, and anger.

However, when these moments of anger don’t seem to pass, or your feelings of sadness become overwhelming, it might be time to talk to someone.

Here at KMA, our experienced team of therapists has been empowering clients to improve their mental health for over 14 years. We’re passionate about teaching you how to get the help you deserve – whether you find it through therapy or another alternative.

After reading this article, you’ll know 5 different indicators that it may be time for you to seek therapy, as well as three helpful alternatives to therapy.

When Should I Go to Therapy?

Therapy is often thought of as something that you only go to when you’re struggling with mental illness or coping with major life events – but therapy can help with the stressors of everyday life, too.

We’ve gathered 5 indicators that you may benefit from seeing a therapist.

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5 Signs it's Time to See a Therapist: You don't feel like yourself, your relationships are suffering, your emotions feel out of control, you're altering aspects of your life, and you're spending a lot of time thinking about the issues you're facing

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1. You Don’t Feel Like Yourself

Feelings of sadness and anxiety are normal, and most of the time they pass after a while.

Specific situations or life events may make these feelings stronger temporarily, but you usually know that they won’t last forever.

However, if these feelings persist to the extent that you feel like you can’t find joy in the things you used to love, it may be time to see a therapist.

Emotions that you feel unable to overcome, or that disrupt your general satisfaction with life, can often be a sign that you could benefit from the help of a professional.

2. Your Relationships Are Suffering

Relationships often fluctuate – a little bit of healthy conflict can even help make them stronger.

However, if you’re under a lot of stress or having difficulty coping with your emotions, this can negatively impact your relationships.

If you find yourself picking fights with your partner, or taking your frustrations out on your loved ones, you may benefit from speaking to a therapist.

Whether you’re interested in couples counselling or want to independently explore how your feelings manifest in your relationships, a therapist might be able to help.

3. Your Emotions Feel Out of Your Control

Experiencing a wide range of emotions is a normal part of the human experience. However, when you feel like your emotions are controlling your actions, it can be unsettling.

If you feel unable to control your emotions, speaking to a therapist may help you develop strategies to manage them.

A therapist may also be able to help you identify the root cause of these emotions and help you establish ways to deal with them before they become overwhelming.

4. You’re Spending a Lot of Time Thinking About the Issues You’re Facing

Thinking about negative feelings or experiences can help to process your emotions, but ruminating on them can make things worse in the long run.

If you spend a significant amount of time during your day thinking about the problems you’re facing, seeing a therapist may help you to find solutions more quickly.

A therapist can help you to process your feelings without getting stuck in negative thought patterns.

5. You’re Altering Aspects of Your Life to Compensate for the Issues You’re Facing

Sometimes, it feels great to cancel plans when we’d prefer a night in. Other times, our anxiety can cause us to avoid people that we’d otherwise want to see.

If you’re avoiding activities you used to enjoy or people you used to love spending time with, a therapist may be able to help you figure out why.

Feeling ashamed or embarrassed about the problems you’re experiencing can make them seem even more difficult to handle. Therapy can offer a non-judgemental environment where you can figure out how to solve your problems alongside a qualified professional.

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Alternatives to Therapy

You may still be on the fence about attending therapy, or feel that a different option may work better for you.

While therapy can have many great benefits, it may not be for everyone. There are many other steps you can take to improve your well-being outside of pursuing traditional therapy.

Some alternatives to therapy include:

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Using a therapy app as an affordable and convenient alternative to traditional therapy
Increasing your physical exercise for mental health benefits such as managing anxiety and stress
Independently improving your self-awareness, such as through mindfulness exercises or connecting with your inner child to help you address the root of some of your re-occurring challenges

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Next Steps for Finding a Therapist in Toronto

After reading this article, you now have an understanding of 5 different indicators it may be time for you to seek therapy, as well as some alternative options to therapy.

If you think therapy could benefit you, your next step will be finding and speaking to a therapist.

Here at KMA, we’ve matched clients with their ideal therapists for over 14 years. Our detailed introductory appointments will walk you through the therapy process, explore your goals in therapy, and match you with the best therapist for you.

If you aren’t sure about booking an introductory appointment, read these resources for more information about whether therapy could work for you:

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If you’re interested in finding a therapist, read: How to Find a Therapist in Toronto
To explore online therapy options, read: How to Find an Online Therapist in Toronto
If you still have doubts about therapy, read: The 5 Most Common Misconceptions About Therapy

Author |

Emily Weatherhead (Guest Author)

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