“When we numb the dark, we numb the light.”
— Brené Brown
Therapy is often depicted as a serene journey of self-discovery, but in reality, it is challenging work. It demands patience, vulnerability, and a willingness to confront difficult truths. It is understandable to feel like quitting when therapy becomes intense. However, these challenging moments are crucial for real growth and healing. Therapy benefits are most profound when you commit to the process, especially during tough times when the real breakthroughs often occur. If you are struggling, here is why it is important to stick with therapy:
1. The Struggle is Part of Growth
Therapy is not easy. If it were, mental health issues would be resolved overnight. The struggles you face during therapy signal that you are addressing deep-seated issues. These moments of discomfort are opportunities for meaningful change. Just as the pain that you experience while doing physical exercise only reduces or goes away through further exercise, the discomfort associated with therapy also becomes easier to navigate, as you slowly learn to be friends with the uncomfortable parts of yourself.
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Persisting through these tough times can lead to significant progress.
2. Building Inner Strength
Life is filled with challenges, and therapy helps you build the strength to face them. By continuing with therapy, even when it is difficult, you are reinforcing your ability to handle stress, fears, and worries. This inner strength not only benefits you in therapy but also enhances your overall resilience. Over time, you will develop skills that help you manage life’s ups and downs with confidence.
3. You are Not Alone
It is important to remember that you are not alone on this journey. Your therapist is there to support and guide you through tough times. They are trained to help you navigate these challenges and provide a fresh perspective. If you are feeling overwhelmed, lean into their support. Sharing your fears and frustrations can be a relief. Not only will you experience a sense of safety in sessions, the therapist will also give you tools to slowly climb the ladder.
4. Facing Emotions Leads to Healing
Therapy often requires us to confront challenging emotions such as anger, sadness, fear, or grief. While avoiding these feelings might seem easier, it can prolong and deepen your struggles. Facing them directly, however, can pave the way to healing. Life has a way of bringing us face-to-face with the emotions we try to avoid. Instead of being caught off guard by these feelings, it’s more empowering to understand your relationship with them and find resources to navigate them effectively. This proactive approach helps prevent these emotions from becoming obstacles and supports your journey toward emotional well-being. Therapy benefits don’t always show up right away, but staying patient and committed can lead to meaningful changes that improve your emotional well-being over time.
5. Gaining Self-Understanding
The most challenging moments in therapy often lead to profound insights about yourself. Understanding your patterns, beliefs, and past traumas empowers you to make choices aligned with your true values. This deeper self-awareness is a valuable outcome of the therapy process. To be frank, if certain truths about yourself don’t surprise you, make you uncomfortable; or give you a certain push, growth will not ensue.
6. Healing Takes Time
A common misconception is that therapy yields instant results. In reality, healing is a gradual process with ups and downs. Progress may not always be immediately visible, but it’s happening beneath the surface. Be patient with yourself and the process, and trust that, over time, therapy will lead to meaningful changes.
7. You Deserve Healing
By sticking with therapy, you are affirming your worth and commitment to your well-being. It is okay to struggle, but do not give up. Your persistence shows that you believe in your potential for healing and growth. Take initiative; ask yourself questions; clear your doubts with your therapist; keep reminders for yourself; approach it with curiosity rather than fear.
Disclaimer: In this blog, we have discussed the importance of sticking with therapy even when it feels uncomfortable. However, this does not apply to feelings of discomfort caused by an unsupportive therapist. If a therapy session makes you feel judged or excessively uneasy, that is not what you deserve. It is crucial to distinguish between discomfort that is part of your growth and situations that put you in distress or rejection. Conversation with the therapist or shifting to a different therapist is important in the latter situation. Therapy benefits are truly realized when you give yourself the time and space to heal, even when the journey feels hard—because that’s when the most meaningful growth happens
Conclusion: Embrace the Journey
Therapy might not be easy, but it is a worthwhile endeavor. Embrace the tough moments as they signal growth and change. By staying committed, you are investing in a brighter future filled with strength, understanding, and self-discovery. Remember, healing is a journey, not a destination, and you do not have to walk it alone. Your therapist is there to support you every step of the way.
Trust in the process, and you will achieve a healthier and more fulfilling life. Understand why persistence in therapy is essential for real progress and clear up the Six Misconceptions about starting therapy to make your journey smoother