Counselling or Psychotherapy (same thing really) has had a history of being a taboo subject. Lets call it therapy for arguments sake. 

Sometimes its seen as shameful or embarrassing to say "I have a counsellor" and sometimes people don't even tell 1 single person they are seeking therapy. 

Therapy can help with a range of issues stemming from childhood, work, relationships and many mental health conditions. 

Therapy can help people come to terms with the past and look at ways to make change, help them to develop and enhance coping mechanisms that they didn't already realise they had. It has been proven, and research shows, that the long term after effects and benefits of therapy can last a lot longer than medication alone. Medication can reduce the overall symptoms you are experiencing but wont address the issues that were there in the first place. Therapy can teach life skills, enhance self awareness, improve confidence and improve overall mental health outlook. 

Is it time to see a therapist? 

Its always time to see a therapist. I believe everyone should have somewhere they can talk to, with unconditional positive regard and without fear of judgement. 

I imagine its been a while that you have been contemplating seeing a therapist. overcoming the stigma, then looking around for either online or face to face, who stands out to you, who doesn't, who's been recommended to you, the list goes on. 

Overall its time to see a therapist when you have been contemplating things and they have become overwhelming for some time. 

Here are some common reasons why people come to therapy.

*Life has lost meaning, 

*Feeling generally low mood

*Being unable to cope with situations you used to be able to. 

*Difficulty sleeping 

*Constant sadness or a feeling of helplessness

*You have experienced losses not just in the form of a bereavement

*Relationship issues

The list is endless but if any of the above and more are how you are currently feeling, then now is the time to seek therapy. 

Below is a BBC Ideas short film on how therapy works.