As a tech CEO juggling different roles, therapy was my refuge amidst cognitive chaos. I got on board with a therapist who understood the rat race of tech. Cognitive behavioral therapy showed me a new way to perceive failures – as stepping stones rather than setbacks. Since starting therapy, I've been better equipped to manage stress, boost productivity, and maintain equilibrium in life. To anyone contemplating therapy, I'd say, treat it as personal R&D for your mental health. Don't delay self-improvement. Take the leap of faith!
Seeking therapy was a transformative decision during a particularly stressful period in my life. As the CEO and a father, the pressures of balancing professional responsibilities with family life became overwhelming. I reached a point where I realized that I couldn't manage the anxiety and stress alone, and it was beginning to take a toll on my well-being and relationships. The initial step was challenging, but I understood that seeking professional help was necessary for my mental health and overall quality of life. Finding the right therapist involved some trial and error. I began by seeking recommendations from trusted friends and colleagues who had positive experiences with therapy. After a few initial consultations, I found a therapist who made me feel understood and supported. The strategies and insights I gained from therapy have been invaluable, teaching me how to manage stress and approach challenges with a clearer mind. Since starting therapy, my mental health has significantly improved, leading to better decision-making and a more balanced life. To anyone considering therapy but hesitant to take the first step, I would say it’s a brave and worthwhile journey that can lead to profound personal growth and well-being.
What led me to seek therapy or counseling was the feeling of wanting to regain some semblance of control over my life amidst the many changes happening around me. Through an extensive search on Google and social media sites, I looked up therapists that were available near me. Also took note of anecdotes and testimonials from their previous clients. Researching the different kinds of therapy they were offering also helped me choose which therapist was most suited to address my concerns. A few techniques I’ve learned from my sessions were journaling and box breathing! Both have different mediums of outlet but give the same light-hearted and relaxing feeling afterwards. Since starting therapy, it’s also made me reaffirm my existence and expertise as a small business owner. I’m also able to manage my emotions well and be more gentle with myself and the people I work with. It also helped keep myself in check, especially with the short and long-term goals I’m working to achieve. To anyone considering therapy, I’d say to just go for it and see if it would help alleviate what you’re feeling. There is indeed really no harm in trying after all. It could be a bit intimidating at first, but once you ease yourself into it, it would do a great deal in helping you handle any circumstance; even equipping you with new tools to navigate your life.
A Journey of Stress Management and Mental Resilience with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy As the founder of a legal process outsourcing company, I initially sought therapy due to the immense stress and pressure of managing a rapidly growing business. The constant demands and high stakes led to anxiety and sleepless nights, affecting both my personal and professional life. Finding the right therapist was crucial, hence, I asked for recommendations from trusted colleagues and chose a therapist who specialized in stress management for entrepreneurs. One of the most helpful techniques I learned was cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which taught me to identify and reframe negative thought patterns. This strategy, coupled with mindfulness practices, significantly improved my mental resilience and clarity. Since starting therapy, my mental health has seen a remarkable improvement, leading to better decision-making and a more balanced life. To anyone considering therapy, I would say it’s a powerful investment in your well-being. Taking that first step can be daunting, but it opens the door to invaluable insights and tools that enhance both personal happiness and professional success.
Therapy has helped me give myself more grace and reframe the stories I tell myself, both the ones I'm aware of and others I didn't realize were there. 1) I burned out during the pandemic, trying to keep my business afloat and managing family matters. 2)I didn't. I lowered my expectations and made the most of who was in front of me, advocating for myself when I was ready for a new experience. 3) The best strategy was ceasing taking responsibility for other's feelings (its a work in progress). 4) Overall much better at managing and recognizing, there's always something. 5) "You deserve for someone to be listened to you unconditionally, and your comfort is most important."
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Author at Confidently Authentic
Answered 2 years ago
1. I've sought therapy at different times when I was struggling with depression and self-sabotaging behaviors and habits such as being in toxic relationships. 2. The most impactful therapist I ever had I sought out because I was struggling to relate to men personally. I wanted a male therapist to help me learn to feel safer with a man in my personal life. I found him by doing a search for therapists in my city who were male. Then I listened to my intuition and when I found his information it felt "right" deep down. 3. Therapy has provided me so much! I work as a therapist, so I’ve done a lot of healing by using the skills from models I teach like Dialectical Behavior Therapy. DBT taught me how to manage my emotions a lot better. For the work I needed guidance around my therapist taught me how to be kinder to myself. However, when he would encourage this back I was afraid I would stagnate if I was self-accepting. However, his lessons were planted like seeds in my subconscious and overtime those seeds blossomed. Now I'm living a life centered on self-compassion (even though I'm not perfect!). It's amazing how even though our work together ended because I felt "good enough" his lessons still give me gifts. 4. Truly, without therapy my life would be dramatically different. Often I wake up feeling so much joy and gratitude that I so completely transformed my life in every aspect. The most consistent example of this is the love and support I feel and share in my marriage. This would not have been possible without the support of my therapist. Truly, I didn't know how to accept such things in a relationship because I didn't even know what to look for that was healthy. He guided me towards trusting I was worth more than what I settled for before and trusting that a man could be safe, reliable and dependable. 5. Starting therapy is very vulnerable. It's not easy to admit there’s suffering in your life you don’t know how to fix. But we all need help sometimes. Sometimes, the greatest sign of strength is seeking the support even if you feel uncertain. I'd encourage them to stick with it. Try a therapist out for a few sessions before deciding they're not the right fit. At the same time, be ok with trying out different therapists until you do find the right fit. Just like personal relationships there are therapists you will "click" with more than others and that's ok. Finally, the work you invest in yourself will pay you back for the rest of your life!
CEO & Founder, Therapist for Women and Young Children at Ohana Behavioral Health
Answered 2 years ago
(1) What led you to seek therapy or counseling? I went to therapy when I was going through a lot of stress and anxiety. I needed a place to work through my feelings and learn better ways to deal with stress after juggling tasks at work and personal problems became too much for me to handle. (2) How did you find the right therapist or counselor for you? I did some study and asked people in my professional network for suggestions in order to find the right therapist. I looked for a therapist whose approach and skills fit my needs. It was important to me to find someone who understood and made me feel at ease, so I set up initial meetings with a few therapists to find the best fit. (3) What techniques, strategies, or insights gained during therapy have been most helpful for you? It has been especially helpful to use a few skills and strategies from therapy. Cognitive-behavioral techniques helped me change the way I thought about negative things, and mindfulness routines made me feel a lot less overwhelmed. This has also helped me understand myself better by giving me more information about what makes me feel bad and how I usually act. (4) How has your mental health and overall quality of life improved since starting therapy? I'm in much better mental health now that I'm in therapy. I've learned how to deal with stress better and have a more positive view on life. I've learned better ways to communicate and set limits in therapy, which has also made my relationships better. My overall quality of life has gotten better because I'm more self-aware and can handle my emotions better. (5) What would you say to someone who is considering therapy but hasn't taken the first step? If you are thinking about going to therapy, I would say that you are being brave and taking action to improve your mental health. Therapy is a safe place to talk about your feelings and thoughts, and it can help you deal with problems in your life better. It might be scary to take the first step, but the benefits to your mental health could be huge. It's okay to ask for help, and putting your mental health first is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
I first sought therapy in high school at age 15 for depression after my best friend reached out to my parents with concern. However, over the years I have sought out therapy for various other reasons at different stages in my life. Finding the right therapist can absolutely be a challenge. As I have seen many therapists throughout my life, some of which I did not click with, others whom I had great rapport with, I have found that thinking about the qualities I want in a therapist - approach, gender, age, specialization - has helped me find therapists that are a better match for my personality and needs. I also think taking advantage of consult calls, if offered, helps with finding a good fit. Throughout all my years in therapy, I believe learning about duality and being challenged by being presented with alternative perspectives has helped me the most. Therapy has significantly helped my mental health overall, as I have learned skills to help manage my depression and anxiety, as well as non-clinical situations such as life transitions. As a psychologist myself, being in my own therapy has also helped me better serve my own clients and be more present for them. If someone is considering therapy but hasn't taken the first step, I would validate that it can be scary and awkward at first and may take a few therapists to find the right fit; however, when you do it is absolutely worth it.
Therapy has greatly improved my life by uncovering problems I was unaware of. Having someone listen to me and ask the right questions helps me think deeply and reflect on my current situation. I am undergoing therapy because of a recent accident that caused a lot of stress in my life. I randomly chose a therapist, and it seems to be working well. The most helpful insight I've gained from therapy is when my therapist asks about things unrelated to the problem I initially sought help for. This leads to a deeper dive into other issues in my life that I wasn't aware of. One thing leads to another, opening up a deeper discussion about why I'm experiencing my current problems. I initially sought therapy because of an accident, but her unrelated questions helped me realize that the accident was connected to other underlying unhappiness in my life. So far, I have slightly improved since I recently switched to a new therapist. My previous therapist didn't seem to help much, so I decided to make a change. If something is bothering them and they can't figure it out, I suggest trying therapy. The problem they think they're facing might be caused by something else, and therapy can help uncover these connections, leading to a chain reaction of insights and improvements.
I decided to try therapy when I was handling too many projects and felt very stressed out. It took some time to find the right therapist; I read reviews and tried a couple before finding one I liked. Learning mindfulness techniques in therapy has been very helpful. These techniques help me stay calm and focused even when things get busy. Therapy has made me feel much better which also makes me more productive and creative. If you're thinking about therapy but feel unsure, I'd say go for it. Taking care of your mental health is important, and therapy can give you the tools to do that and succeed.