Thinking About Therapy? How to Know When It’s Time

Recognising the signs of needing help

If you’ve never experienced therapy before, you may be thinking how terrible should I feel or how difficult does my life need to be before I start looking for therapy. You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.

No checklist of issues would be sufficient to guide you to whether it would help to seek support. If you have started considering the possibility, then your intuition is guiding you that seeking support is what you need. There are many relevant reasons to find a therapist, all equally valid and important. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or struggling in your relationships, it might be time to talk.

Many people miss out on transforming their lives for the better by waiting until their problems feel unmanageable. It’s as important to attend to our mental health issues as it is to our physical health. Don’t wait until the problem feels acute.

Do I Need to Have It All Figured Out First?

Many people worry they need to know exactly what’s wrong before starting therapy – but that’s not the case. Maybe you feel totally worn-out – like you are making every effort to manage all the things that are part of your life but nothing is getting better? It could be that you’re not getting what you want from a relationship despite asking or you’re at a crossroads and unable to decide which path to take.

Therapy is a space to explore. There’s no expectation of where the work will start, and you are in control of the goals, pace of the work and when it ends.

How Therapy Can Help at Different Life Stages

Whether you are experiencing general low mood, stress, wanting to understand yourself or your situation better, or navigating big life changes therapy can help you feel calmer and lighter, increase your self-understanding and build confidence.

Therapy offers adults support throughout all stages of life, whether you’re navigating young adulthood, relationship challenges, parenthood, career changes, or later-life adjustments. It provides a space to explore emotions, build self-awareness, and develop healthier ways of coping. At every stage, therapy can help you untangle patterns, strengthen relationships, and rediscover a sense of balance. Whatever chapter you’re in, having the right support can make change feel less overwhelming and enable your growth.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Taking the Next Step

Would you answer yes to any of these questions:

• Have you been trying to manage on my own and been able to make the changes you want?

• Do you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or struggling to cope with your emotions or situation?

• Are your relationships, work, or daily life being impacted by how you feel?

It’s important that your life situation is such that you can commit yourself to therapy:

• Do you have the time and emotional space to engage in therapy right now?

Being ready to talk can feel like a big step – are you open to exploring your thoughts and feelings with professional support?

Every one of us feels vulnerable talking about our most intimate thoughts, feelings and behaviours. A qualified counsellor/therapist has been trained to work with you as a unique individual, going at your pace and attuning to your needs to ensure you feel safe and supported doing this work.

Taking That First Step

Research shows that the relationship between you and your therapist is the most important factor to client growth. Opening up can feel vulnerable. When you feel safe, understood, and heard there will be a space for you to explore your challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you.

In my next post, I’ll share some thoughts on how to find a therapist you feel comfortable with, so you can feel confident in taking that next step.