Guest Blog Post from Dr Alice Austin-Harris
A common question people ask is, "how do I know if I need therapy?". There isn't a single answer, but there are some signs that therapy could be helpful. Just as we look after our physical health, therapy can support emotional wellbeing, improve self-understanding and help prevent difficulties from becoming more entrenched.
You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy
Not everyone comes to therapy because something is "wrong" or they are in a crisis in their lives. Many people reach a point where they want to understand themselves better, explore what matters most to them or live more in line with their values. You may be going through a significant life change, such as a change in your career, retirement, the end of a relationship, becoming a parent, moving areas or coming to terms with loss. Perhaps you are finding this change difficult or emotional and want space to consider what is really important to you.
The people I work with often describe feeling stuck – they may find themselves falling into similar patterns, repeating behaviours they want to change or feel as though they are just surviving life rather than fully engaging with it. You may notice having recurring disagreements with people, feeling disconnected from others or becoming caught in patterns of self-criticism and negative thinking. Therapy offers a confidential space to understand yourself more deeply and get unstuck from what is holding you back.
Therapy can help with anxiety, low mood and emotional overwhelm
For others, emotions begin to feel difficult to manage. Persistent anxiety, excessive worry, low mood, emotional overwhelm or avoiding difficult feelings can all affect day-to-day life. Perhaps you stay awake at night worrying about lots of different things, find it hard to manage your anger and get irritable with people around you or feel like you’re on autopilot and not totally connected to the world. Therapy can help you make sense of these experiences, develop healthier ways of responding and improve your emotional wellbeing so you feel better able to manage and do more of what matters most to you.
What happens when you decide to get therapy?
If you're considering therapy, it's also natural to wonder what actually happens once you decide to reach out.
One of the most important aspects of therapy is finding a psychologist you feel comfortable with. Many therapists offer an initial consultation, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, understand how they work and decide whether they feel like a good fit. There is no obligation to continue after this first conversation and its perfectly acceptable to speak to more than one therapist before deciding who feels right for you.
The first few sessions usually focus on understanding what has brought you to therapy, how your difficulties have developed over time and what you would like to be different. You don't need to prepare or know exactly what to say. A psychologist will guide the conversation and help you make sense of your experiences at a pace that feels manageable.
How therapy works
Therapy is a collaborative process. You are the expert on your own life and experiences, while the psychologist brings clinical knowledge and evidence-based approaches to help you understand what is happening and support meaningful change. Together, you work towards goals that feel important to you.
Depending on your goals, therapy may involve exploring current difficulties, recognising patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour, considering how past experiences continue to influence the present and developing practical strategies that can be used in everyday life. Between sessions, you may be encouraged to reflect on discussions or practise new approaches, helping to build confidence and maintain progress.
It's important to remember that therapy isn't always a linear process. Some sessions may feel insightful and motivating, while others can feel emotionally challenging or as though little has changed. This is a normal part of therapy. Meaningful change often develops gradually, with people noticing over time that they are responding differently, feeling more resilient and developing a deeper understanding of themselves.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that you don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Whether you're facing a specific difficulty or simply want to understand yourself better, therapy provides the opportunity to reflect, gain perspective and develop the tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence, resilience and self-understanding.
Dr Alice Austin-Harris
The Growth Practice – Online psychological therapy service for adults in Winchester and Hampshire
About Dr Alice Austin-Harris
Dr Alice Austin-Harris is a Clinical Psychologist providing evidence-based online psychological therapy for adults across Winchester, Hampshire and throughout the UK. She works with people experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship difficulties and life transitions, helping them develop greater understanding, resilience and psychological wellbeing.