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Dec 16, 2021
According to a 2019 report from the Center for Disease Control, 9.5% of adults in the U.S. receive therapy or counseling provided by a mental health professional. Within two years, this number more than tripled, with a reported 30% of adults seeking out therapy services in 2020 and 2021. It’s no surprise that more people are investing in therapy — it’s gradually shifted from a taboo topic to a point of pride. Rather than feeling ashamed of mental health struggles, many people are happy to take the initiative in improving their own wellbeing — as they should. If you’re considering therapy but are unsure whether it’s the right choice, read on to see how mental health therapy may benefit you.
When considering therapy, one of the first questions you may ask is whether or not it’s a good investment. It’s a reasonable question, considering the fact that therapy can be expensive. Therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $200 per session or more, which can quickly add up if you’re scheduling weekly appointments. Though some insurers offer mental health coverage, it’s often still difficult to obtain approval for therapy sessions in Apple Valley, MN.
Finances should never stand between you and your mental health, though. The benefits of accessible and affordable treatment are worth the effort it may take to find the right therapist. Therapy is ultimately an investment in yourself. If you are dealing with struggles such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder, the impact can be monumental, causing a ripple effect of consequences throughout your life. Some of these repercussions can include:
If any of these experiences describe what you’re going through, there is help available. Therapy can alleviate these and other struggles by equipping you with the confidence and healthy coping mechanisms you need to overcome challenges. If you’re wondering if therapy is a good investment, consider the impact it could have on your life, and you’ll see the answer is yes. You and your well-being are worth investing in.
Money isn’t the only resource you’ll be investing when you commit to therapy. It’s important to consider, too, the time commitment that counseling requires. Most therapists recommend weekly sessions that are 45-minutes to an hour. In some cases, a therapist may even want to see you for appointments twice a week. In addition to the time spent in your sessions, it’s common for therapists to assign clients “homework” or reading to further apply the concepts discussed in appointments. Time spent completing these tasks can be several hours each week.
In total, you can reasonably expect to commit four to six hours per week to therapy and its related obligations. When weighing whether therapy is a good investment of your time, you must consider the total amount of time you have available in a given week. How many hours are spent in school or at work? How much time should you allot to social engagements? If you don’t have six hours to spare in your week, is there any obligation that you can reduce or remove from your schedule? Intentionally making time for therapy is the only way to see progress and ensure that your investment pays off.
Ultimately, whether therapy is a good investment of your time depends on how much time you’re willing to commit. Clients who attend weekly sessions but neglect to complete their therapist’s assignments are cheating themselves out of the payoff of their investment. Similarly, if you don’t make time to practice the principles discussed in sessions, you’re unlikely to see any fruit from your labor. The more time you are able and willing to put into therapy, the more likely your investment will be worthwhile.
Investing time is just one way that you can make therapy worthwhile. Many different therapy modalities rely on a range of different theories, but it will require effort on your part no matter which you choose. One of the most effective forms of therapy is dialectical behavior therapy or DBT. This form of therapy focuses on enhancing specific life skills, including interpersonal relationships and emotional regulation. DBT has been proven to be incredibly effective in improving clients’ wellbeing and mental health, but it’s only as effective as the effort you’re willing to put into it.
If you want to ensure that therapy is worthwhile, you can employ a few strategies to get the most out of each session. Some of these strategies include the following:
Each of these actions can massively improve the efficacy of your therapy and ensure that the investments you are making pay off. If it seems like your progress is slowing, revisit these principles and ensure you’re doing everything you can to be productive.
If you’re doing all of these things and you still feel as though you’re not making strides towards your mental health goals, it’s possible that you need to find a new therapist. Therapy is a relationship that requires understanding and empathy from both parties. Taking the time to find the right therapist is the best way to ensure that you’ll continue making mental health progress.
Mental health is a common point of discussion, but it can be hard to make the jump from talking to treatment. DBT is an accessible and effective therapy option that offers promising recovery for people suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and a range of other mental health struggles. Mental Health Systems takes pride in providing our Apple Valley, MN clients with life-changing resources. Call us at (952) 835-2002 or request an appointment online.
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