Hi everyone and welcome back! I am honored that you have stopped by again to support my ministry by reading my blog entries and being part of the Flourish community. Today’s post covers a sensitive topic for me, however, I am now in a healthy place emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to share it with you all. As you read from the title, I will be sharing my experience with deciding to start psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) refers to a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Most psychotherapy takes place one-on-one with a licensed mental health professional or with other patients in a group setting”. Talk therapy allows you the opportunity to speak to someone who is unbias and trustworthy about what you might be experiencing.
Having earned my bachelor's degree in psychology, I've become aware of the significant stigma surrounding mental health and therapy; a stigma that remains prevalent even today. Navigating the stigma can be even more challenging for individuals from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds, where mental health awareness and acceptance may not be as advanced as in the American culture who have progressed further into accepting the realities of mental health and the importance of seeking help. Furthermore, if you're a Christian, the idea of partaking in therapy can sometimes seem outlandish or controversial within the faith community.
Considering the factors I mentioned above, I decided to keep my journey private in the beginning. I knew that seeking therapy was something I needed to do without being influenced by others' opinions or potential judgments. At the time, my fiancé was the only person who knew I was seriously considering therapy. I was going through a lot emotionally, with many transitions happening at once that I had little control over, leaving me emotionally unstable. I couldn’t process what was happening without crying, feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, scared for the future, and frustrated with both God and my partner. As my emotional burden grew, I found myself becoming an unsupportive girlfriend at the time. This shift made me realize that I needed to seek help from someone outside my everyday social circle—someone who could offer an unbiased perspective and a safe space to process my feelings. The well-being of my relationship with my fiancé is non-negotiable, and I was ready to make the necessary investments to ensure its overall health and stability.
When searching for a therapist, I had two key requirements. First, I wanted to work with a faith-based clinic. It was important to me that my therapist would consistently guide me back to Jesus and His truth regardless of my emotions or what I shared during our sessions. I wanted to avoid any conflicting beliefs or values that might hinder open and transparent conversations.
Second, I specifically sought out a female therapist. I believe men and women often process and approach situations differently, and science even supports the unique ways male and female brains function. While I’m not saying I would’ve had a poor experience with a male therapist, I felt that choosing a female therapist would allow me to be completely vulnerable. Having someone who could relate to me on a fundamental level—as a woman—felt essential to creating a comfortable and relatable therapeutic experience.
Therapy has been, and continues to be, an incredible blessing in my life. While I no longer attend sessions regularly, having successfully reached my initial goals, I’m grateful for the privilege of reaching out to my therapist whenever needed. Therapy didn’t magically erase my problems, but it equipped me with the tools to navigate life’s obstacles with a healthy and sound mind.
Through this journey, I was reminded of a truth that I pray I never forget: no matter the circumstance or how high the mountain may seem, God is still good. I am His daughter, and He has excellent plans for my life. That realization has brought me immeasurable peace and strength—especially on the days when I feel like giving up.
Therapy also opened my eyes to just how anxious I had always been throughout my life and revealed how little faith I truly had in such a loving and providing God. But now, I can confidently say that my faith has grown in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve learned to lean more on Christ and less on myself. I am not God and cannot take on His roles and responsibilities for my life. I am an extremely limited human being but God is not and that knowledge alone has transformed my perspective and renewed my hope.
If you're someone who might be struggling emotionally and/or mentally and need help filtering through those gray areas in life, I encourage you to seek counsel from either a professional mental health professional, leader/elder in the church, or from someone you believe that has the ability to lead you in the right direction. I know therapy is not accessible for many people which is why I want to emphasize the point that it does not have to be a therapist, but should be someone you believe that can pour into your life in an impactful way.
I pray that this entry reaches and blesses someone who may be silently carrying the weight of life on their shoulders. If you’ve been hesitant to speak out, I hope this serves as a reminder that it’s okay to seek the help that you need and deserve. You don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. The Bible calls us to love, support, and care for one another, just as Christ has done for us. Let this be your permission to reach out and lean on those who can walk alongside you. If you'd like to discuss this topic further or are in need of a referral/resource, please don't hesitate to reach out to me for more info.
Again thank you for supporting me and giving me a safe space to share my story. May the Lord bless you in abundance and grant you His peace every day. Until next time!
Thank you for this entry. I truly understand.