Therapy for Self-Care
Long gone are the days where working with a therapist is reserved strictly for those with a pervasive mental health concern. Therapy is now seen as something beneficial for anyone and everyone, even those who aren’t managing a diagnosis or who have a traumatic history to recover from. People from all walks of life are turning to therapists to navigate a variety of everyday challenges, ranging from getting over a difficult breakup to managing imposter syndrome, and even tackling complex family dynamics.
These normal ups and downs are part of life and just because they induce negative emotions or stress doesn’t mean something is clinically wrong with us. However, what we do with these emotions matters. When life brings unexpected challenges, we face a choice: do we avoid, numb, or distract ourselves from our struggles, or do we face them head-on and work through them? The way we choose to process and address life’s hurdles is up to us, and there are many avenues to explore—journaling, yoga, meditation, mentorship, and yes, therapy.
Having a standing weekly, biweekly or monthly appointment with a therapist has become an integral part of many people’s self-care routines and wellness practices. A therapist can offer a safe, non-judgmental space to process thoughts, emotions, and events in ways that might not be possible with friends or family. When life inevitably brings an unexpected loss or setback, having a non-biased trained mental health professional to meet with is game-changing. Thanks to decades of advocacy efforts seeing a therapist simply for self-care is now normalized and celebrated.
In my practice, I often notice a natural shift in the therapeutic process—what starts as therapy for a specific issue can evolve into therapy for ongoing self-care. Many clients initially seek therapy at Grey Embraced to address particular mental health challenges such as to reprocess and heal from a burdened past, decrease compulsive cycles or lift the fog of depression. Once these major therapy goals are achieved, many people chose to scale down the frequency of sessions but keep seeing their therapist consistently. While it’s never a requirement, this approach allows individuals to maintain the benefits of therapy for continued personal growth, emotional well-being, and self-care.
Just as therapy doesn’t have to begin with a diagnosis or trauma, it doesn’t have to end when a specific issue is resolved. It can be a valuable resource for maintaining mental and emotional health, preventing future setbacks, and fostering a deeper connection with yourself. Like any health practice, whether that is journaling or nature-walks or volunteering, making therapy a regular part of your self-care routine is just one way to invest in your long-term well-being.
Incorporating therapy into your life doesn’t require a crisis or a mental health diagnosis. It’s about honoring your emotional health, taking proactive steps to manage life’s inevitable stressors, and creating a space to better understand yourself. Therapy is no longer something to only seek when things go wrong; it’s an ongoing, positive practice that most can benefit from.
Therapy for self-care is not only okay—it’s something we at Grey Embrace fully support and encourage with open arms! :)
