Signs you should see a private therapist: do I need counselling or therapy?

Many people reach a point where they’re unsure whether what they’re feeling is something they can manage on their own, or whether they might benefit from seeing a therapist or counsellor. 

Understanding the signs, and knowing when to seek help, can make it easier to decide whether counselling or therapy could be right for you.

Do I need therapy or counselling?

You can talk to a therapist about anything you’re going through if it’s having a negative impact on how you’re feeling.

You might benefit from support if:

• Your thoughts or feelings feel overwhelming or difficult to manage
• Your mood is affecting your daily life, work or relationships
• You’re experiencing ongoing stress, anxiety or low mood
• You feel stuck, lost or unsure how to move forward
• You’re struggling to cope with a specific event, such as loss or change

You don’t need to have hit ‘rock bottom’ or have a diagnosed mental health condition in order to benefit from therapy.

It might be that there’s something troubling you at the moment, or you need some help and guidance with certain areas of your life such as your self-esteem, relationships or issues from your past that have re-surfaced.

There are several key differences between therapy and counselling, but the key contrast can be summarised as:

What does seeing a therapist involve?

Seeing a therapist usually involves regular conversations with a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Lasting 45-60 minutes, these sessions provide a safe, confidential space to explore what you’re going through and develop ways to manage it.

Therapy isn’t just for crises. Many people choose to see a therapist to better understand themselves, improve relationships or build coping strategies for everyday challenges.

Signs you may need private therapy

If you find that you’re experiencing repeated emotional problems that are interfering with your day-to-day life, it might be that you could benefit from going to therapy.

You may be:

• Feeling anxious
• Generally feeling overwhelmed with everything
• Overthinking and feeling as though you’re unable to ‘switch off’ from your thoughts
• Feeling low and more tearful than usual
• Getting angry more easily or struggling to regulate your emotions
• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Eating more or less than usual
• Avoiding socialising with other people
• Uninterested in activities or hobbies you used to enjoy doing
• Struggling at work, university or school
• Feeling hopeless and as though there’s no way out
• Using substances such as drugs or alcohol to help you get through the day
• You're wondering whether seeing a therapist or counsellor could help you deal with what you're experiencing
• Having thoughts of harming yourself or feeling as though you don’t want to be here anymore

These symptoms may be a sign of an existing mental illness such as depression, anxiety or addiction, or they may have started for no clear reason. Alternatively, it may be that you’ve recently gone through something particularly stressful or traumatic, and this is having an impact on how you’re feeling.

Whatever the cause, if these problems or emotions are having a negative impact on your wellbeing and affecting your ability to function in your daily life, it’s important you get help. There are many types of therapy that can help you to overcome your mental health worries and take back control.

The benefits of private therapy

Therapy has lots of benefits and has the potential to have a hugely positive impact on your wellbeing and quality of life. Effective therapy can improve multiple areas of your life, benefiting you emotionally, socially, professionally and even helping you to feel better physically.

Just some of the benefits of therapy include:

• The use of proven and evidence-based techniques to explore your issues and help you get back on track. Many therapeutic methods will equip you with skills and coping mechanisms for life, meaning you’re able to use these tools in the future if you're struggling
• The chance to talk openly and honestly with someone who is qualified, non-judgemental and who will uphold your confidentiality. This is especially beneficial if you've been suffering in silence for a long time or don’t feel as though you can open up to friends or family about what you’re going through. Therapy gives you a safe space to work through your issues with someone who's compassionate and objective
• The opportunity to learn more about yourself. This might include learning how your past has shaped who you are now, why you feel the way you do, and the triggers for your emotions. Developing a more thorough understanding of yourself can help you to be aware of your feelings, why they've come about, and how you can cope better in the future
• Improving your relationships with other people, including loved ones and colleagues. Therapy can help you to develop more self-awareness so you know how your behaviours may be impacting on others and it may also enable you to communicate better with other people. Also, if your problems are stemming from relationship or family issues, therapy can help you to resolve these and move forwards in a healthy way
• Improving your self-esteem. Therapy can help you to set goals for your future and empowers you to be proactive in taking positive steps forward. This can increase your confidence and your ability to take charge of your own emotions and wellbeing
• The ability to access therapy at a time and a place that suits you. Our online counselling service, allows you to receive expert counselling and psychotherapy from the comfort of your own home

Finding a therapist

Once you’ve made the decision to get therapy for your mental health challenges or other issues that are going on in your life, it’s important to take the next steps when it comes to finding a therapist.

At Priory, we have an extensive team of qualified therapists who are dedicated to helping you every step of the way towards achieving the fulfilling future you deserve.

You can search for a therapist near you, or call us and our friendly customer service team will be able to listen to your concerns and recommend the best specialist and treatment centre for your individual needs. We’ll also be able to provide more information on the treatment programmes, formats and types of therapy we’re able to offer at Priory.

Remember, whatever challenges you’re going through, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, or going through other issues in certain areas of your life, you don’t have to struggle on your own. Therapy can help you work through your difficulties in a safe and highly compassionate setting, empowering you to regain control. Take that next step today and get in touch – at Priory, we’re here to support you every step of the way.