psychotherapy

How Do I Know If I Need to Go to Therapy?

A black woman sitting across from a therapist. This represents how Maple Canyon Therapy provides anxiety therapy, eating disorder therapy, and binge eating disorder treatment in Utah and through online therapy in Utah.

Reaching out for help and deciding to go to therapy is a difficult decision to make. Often times when I meet my clients for the first time they are feeling anxious about being there in therapy. My clients don’t know what to expect and even have the fear that I as their therapist, will think they don’t need therapy or just the opposite that they are too much to handle. 

I totally understand the fear that a therapist will dismiss your problems as insignificant or share confusion on why you thought you needed therapy in the first place. I want you to know I’ve been in practice for almost a decade, and not even once has that thought crossed my mind with a client. Never have I had a client sit in front of me, and I have considered that they didn’t actually need or deserve to be there in therapy. If you want help and to improve your life, you deserve to be in therapy. 

There are other signs or symptoms you may experience in your life that might show you could benefit from attending therapy. I would like to share with you some but not all of what those may be. 

You want to go to therapy 

First a foremost if you want to go to therapy, you should go to therapy. People that voluntarily want to go to therapy and are willing to do whatever it takes to get feeling better are the ones that benefit the most from therapy. If you’ve ever been curious about therapy and wondered if it’s for you, it probably is. Therapy is for everyone. Therapy doesn’t mean you are crazy or mentally unstable. Therapy can be helpful for anyone at different stages of their lives. It’s easy to talk ourselves out of getting help or think what you are struggling with isn’t bad enough but honestly, it's better to get help before it gets too bad or overwhelming. 

You are interested in improving your life

An asian woman sitting on a couch across from another woman. This represents how at Maple Canyon Therapy provides therapy for perfectionism, and therapy for high functioning anxiety in Utah.

I may be biased but I believe one of the best tools for improving your life is therapy. Self-help books are great and I recommend them with the therapy process but it’s hard to work on things all on your own. Therapy allows you to have a third party share their perspective on your life and blind spots you may be missing. It’s an opportunity for you to heal from past experiences and negative beliefs that you may not even realize are impacting your life. It’s easy to tell ourselves that we are over past experiences and they don’t impact us anymore but that’s not always true. Regardless, I believe those I work with deserve to have the best life they possibly can without the past hanging over their heads. 

You want to improve your relationships 

It is sometimes surprising to people that individual therapy can have a big fat impact on our relationships for the better. I am not a couples therapist but I see it all the time that as my clients work through their past and trauma they have better relationships with their partners and family members. When they are feeling better about themselves and their lives, they have more room and opportunities to connect with loved ones. My clients also don’t always realize how much of their past experiences carry over into how they respond in their present relationships. Even when you know your relationship needs the help of a couples of therapist, it still greatly benefits you also to be working on yourself as an individual. 

You find it difficult to cope with symptoms of anxiety

Two women sitting beside each other on a couch. This represents how Maple Canyon Therapy provides EMDR Therapy for eating disorders, online anxiety therapy, and trauma therapy in Utah. .

It’s a struggle when life suddenly feels more difficult than it used to. Sometimes it’s confusing why the way you used to deal with stress doesn’t work anymore. My clients have shared confusion in the past on why things that happened a long time ago that haven’t bothered them in a long time are suddenly bothering them again. It’s hard when life surprises you with new challenges. This is pretty normal for the women I work with and for those that have experienced trauma without realizing it was trauma. Therapy can help you work through the things that are bothering you and find new ways to cope with stress. 

You’re going through a hard time

There are many difficult things to go through as a human. You may have experienced the death of someone you love, stress at work, or a strained relationship with a family member or friend, and you may feel more anxious and sad. All of these are hard things to cope with on your own. Seeing a therapist can make a big difference if you are going through a hard time. Sometimes it even helps to say what you are struggling with and have a trained therapist help you through it. I truly wish everyone could go to therapy or give it a try if they have the financial means to do so. It’s surprising how much it makes a difference in your life. If you are thinking about going to therapy, I hope you'll take the risk and try it. When you find a good therapist that knows how to treat what you are struggling with it can be absolutely life-changing. 

Looking for anxiety therapy near Provo, Utah

You don’t have to keep dealing with feelings of anxiousness. Anxiety therapy can help your life feel more manageable. This Provo Utah area counseling clinic has an anxiety therapist specializing in anxiety treatment. To begin anxiety therapy, follow the steps below:

  1. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation

  2. Complete online forms and schedule the first session with a therapist for anxiety

  3. Begin therapy

Other mental health services provided near Provo, Utah

Anxiety therapy isn’t the only therapy service provided at this Northern Utah Counseling Clinic. Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy include trauma therapy, eating disorder therapy, birth trauma therapy, body image therapy, and binge eating disorder treatment in Utah.

about the author

Ashlee Hunt is a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Maple Canyon Therapy in Utah County. Ashlee has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a bachelor’s in family life and human development from Utah State University. She received a master’s degree in social work from Utah State University. Ashlee enjoys working with women with high-functioning anxiety who are willing to do whatever it takes to feel better. She helps women with social anxiety, performance anxiety, and dating anxiety. When Ashlee isn’t in therapy, she is probably playing fetch with her Goldendoodle at the Spanish Fork Dog Park.

Other blog posts from Maple Canyon Therapy you might find helpful :

As Your Therapist, I've Been Where You've Been

A woman and two men smiling. This represents how as an online therapist in Utah at Maple Canyon Therapy, I provide eating disorder treatment, binge eating disorder treatment, and anxiety treatment in Utah.

I shared this photo on my Instagram account and I wanted to share it here with you. This is a photo of my coworkers and me. They’re completely irrelevant to the story :).

Even as a therapist, I’ve also struggled with my mental health

I want you to know I’ve been where you’ve been. This photo was taken at a time where I had just experienced a devastating blow, and I was not doing good. I still feel it when I look at this. I find that it doesn’t really matter the specifics of what I went through, of what you’re going through, or what anyone else is going through because it’s the shared emotional experience that matters. Our challenges are unique and yet we still each have felt sadness, fear, and anger.

Even when you are trying your best, your mental health can be hard to manage

Despite this painful experience, I was managing it in pretty healthy ways. I had supportive family & friends that knew what I was going through. I was loved & cared about and I was still feeling horrible. I was going to therapy, using healthy coping skills, and the supportive people in my life and it still was excruciatingly painful. I was trying my hardest to manage but that didn’t take away the experience from happening. All of those feelings are normal for all of us to feel.

A woman lying on the couch looking at an Ipad. This represents how Maple Canyon therapy provide online therapy in Utah for the following services: anxiety treatment, high-functioning anxiety, postpartum anxiety, and social anxiety.

A woman lying on the couch looking at an Ipad. This represents how Maple Canyon therapy provide online therapy in Utah for the following services: anxiety therapy, high-functioning anxiety, postpartum anxiety, and social anxiety. Start therapy for anxiety in Utah. 84332 | 84323 | 84765

You will feel good again

The other night I was riding my bike through the neighborhood, I looked up at the cotton candy sky, feeling the cool breeze hit my face, and smelling the hint of a barbecue in the air, I started to tear up because I realized I felt well again & I have for a long while. Things don’t feel as grey & cold as they did in that photo. I never thought that day would come. When I think of that experience, it still feels awful but it doesn’t consume me as it did.

If you’re struggling that doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong

I want you to know that even if you’re doing it all in the best way you can: going to therapy, doing the work, and using your support people and you still feel like garbage, there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re a human, and that’s beautiful. If you’re using self-destructive behaviors and not coping in healthy ways that’s ok, I’ve also been there. You’re ok too. Trust that you’re doing the best you can at this moment. You’ll feel the breeze again on your cheeks and appreciate the beauty of life again.

Don’t give up hope

I assure you this will not always be the space you’re in. The sadness dissipates, and you’ll feel the warmth again. Wherever you’re at in your struggle, it will pass. Please know that the goodness of life still awaits. There are more people to love, dreams to chase, and happiness to be had repeatedly. Your life has meaning and will continue to have meaning. You matter. Don’t give up.

EMDR therapy can help

A yellow armchair. This represents how at Maple Canyon Therapy, we provide anxiety management, eating disorder treatment, and trauma therapy. We provide online counseling, in-person therapy, and EMDR in Utah

I know what your going through has to feel like a lot to manage on your own. I know you’re used to being the support of other people in your life, and it’s hard to let your guard down. On the outside, nobody would guess you are struggling, but I want you to know it’s ok to let people help you. I want to be able to support you and help you feel better. EMDR Therapy is a type of trauma therapy that can help you work through negative past experiences and help change the negative beliefs you have about yourself. I can attest with my own EMDR therapy experience that it makes a difference in your ability to find relief from sadness, anger, fear, anxiety, shame, and more.

Begin working with an EMDR therapist in Utah

You don’t have to live weighed down by your experiences. You can feel ok again. This Northern Utah Counseling Practice has an EMDR therapist specializing in trauma therapy. To begin counseling, follow the steps below:

  1. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation

  2. Meet with a trauma therapist

  3. Start healing from your past

Online Therapy in Utah

I provide online therapy in Utah to those throughout Utah so that you can conveniently access a therapist. It’s not always easy to take time out of your schedule or to have to travel to meet with a therapist. In this day and age, it’s not even necessary because it’s just as effective as in-person therapy

I work with people in Logan, Cedar City, Heber, Salt Lake City, St. George and more through online counseling.

Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy

EMDR therapy isn’t the only mental health service provided at this Utah County Counseling Center. Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy include eating disorder therapy, binge eating disorder treatment, body image therapy, anxiety therapy, and birth trauma.

It's Ok to Be Wrong

A quote by John Gottman. This represents how at Maple Canyon Therapy, I provide eating disorder treatment, EMDR therapy, and birth trauma in Utah.

My brain is full of things that I’m not sure I can make a clear thought on. I’m just going for it because doing it and showing up is better than it being perfect. I’ve been listening to the book “Think Again” by Adam Grant, and I’ve been really enjoying the concepts in it. One of them is our ability to be wrong and rethink what our opinion is based on the information we are given.

It’s hard for me as a therapist to be wrong

One thing that is hard for me in my role as a therapist, is the being wrong part. Not because I don’t want to be wrong in something I say or do with a client BUT because I don’t want to hurt these precious and wonderful and inspiring people. I learned from the beginning as a graduate student first beginning therapy practice to admit when you’re wrong with a client. Admit when something isn’t communicated well or I didn’t respond effectively. I learned to be quick to do this. It’s still uncomfortable but it really does matter. It matters that a therapist takes responsibility and apologizes. This may be the only relationship that a client has where someone is willing to admit when they’re wrong. That’s how healthy relationships are supposed to go. We admit when we are wrong and make amends for it.

Admitting and apologizing for mistakes is important in relationships

I did this just yesterday in therapy. I didn’t effectively communicate what I was trying to say to my client at the end of a session and readdressed when I saw them again. It sucked AND I’m glad I did it. Here’s to the reminder that we are all human. Not to use that as an excuse but as an understanding that we are all trying and hopefully willing and committed to keeping being better for our relationships.

A woman pushing palms together and face showing remorse. This represents how at Maple Canyon Therapy, I provide a health ate every size approach, eating disorder therapy, and anxiety therapy in Utah.

Reasons why it’s good to admit you’re wrong

The women I work with struggle with feeling guilty when they aren’t perfect especially in their relationships. It’s difficult to see the benefits of admitting when you’re wrong but let me assure you there are benefits.

  1. Admitting you’re wrong can improve the relationship

    When you admit that you are wrong, this can be healing to the other person. It’s not about being perfect now or ever. It’s about acknowledging our mistakes and working a little harder to be better.

  2. Admitting when you’re wrong shows you care about the other person

    My clients are the best caregivers. They want nothing more than to take care of the people they love. Admitting your mistakes and when you didn’t get something quite right, shows the other person you care enough about them and the relationship to share this.

  3. Admitting you’re wrong builds trust

    You can feel more trustworthy to the other people in your life when you show you are willing to take accountability for your actions and admit when you’ve made a mistake. It’s hard to build trust with someone that can’t admit when they’re wrong because we all make mistakes as humans.

  4. Admitting you’re wrong shows you are willing to challenge your thinking and actions

    Thinking and acting the same doesn’t show we are open to personal growth. When we admit to being wrong, it shows we are invested in growing through using a different pattern of thoughts and behaviors that align with our values.

Hopefully, you can embrace the fact that you’re human and it’s ok to make mistakes, and there can be some important benefits to admitting when you’re wrong.

A woman in a purple shirt smiling. This represents how Maple Canyon Therapy provides help for eating disorder recovery, binge eating disorder, performance anxiety and postpartum anxiety.

Start anxiety therapy in Utah

You don’t have to live in fear of making a mistake or fear of failure. Anxiety therapy can help you manage your fears. This Utah County Counseling Clinic has an anxiety therapist specializing in high-functioning anxiety treatment. To begin counseling, follow the steps below:

  1. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation

  2. Meet with a therapist for anxiety

  3. Find relief from fear

Online Therapy in Utah

It’s not always convenient to travel to see a therapist and make time for an appointment. I know struggling with mental health isn’t easy, and trying to manage treatment can prove to be challenging. I know that therapy is an investment in yourself, and I know it’s worth it. I also want to make it easier for you to manage your schedule, which is why I offer online therapy in Utah. It’s secure, convenient, and just as effective as in-person.

Using telehealth also allows me to work with you if you are in St. George, Logan, Salt Lake City, Heber, Cedar City, and more.

Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy

Anxiety therapy isn’t the only counseling service offered at this Northern Utah Counseling Practice. Other mental health services offered by Maple Canyon therapy include body image therapy, EMDR therapy, birth trauma, eating disorder therapy, and binge eating disorder treatment.

The Power of Therapy: You Can Feel Better

Therapy office at Maple Canyon Therapy. This represents how Maple Canyon Therapy provides therapy for anxiety including high functioning anxiety, performance anxiety, and social anxiety in Utah.

Since graduate school, I have been hyped about therapy. The therapeutic process is so incredible to me. I was spending my weekends searching on YouTube to somehow find a therapy session to watch so I could practice the skills I saw. I love good therapy. I also happen to be wildly passionate about bad therapy but that’s a song for another time.

I’ve been practicing therapy for seven-ish years, and I have certainly become more comfortable. I have moved on from Youtube videos to podcasts but because of my comfort, it had been a hot minute since I intentionally practiced more skills.

The other day I had a client running late as we as humans do at times, and instead of mindlessly scrolling I decided to be mindful. To breathe deeply and decide on my intention for the session. I landed on a skill I wanted to try and practice it all day in my sessions. It made a difference, and I was exhausted.

I know anxiety therapy can be overwhelming

It was a reminder to me that those clients of mine sitting across from me on the couch are also exhausted by setting new and unfamiliar intentions. They are showing up filled to the brim with anxiety and unsure if this is worth the risk. It’s an incredible honor to be the one that gets to be with these people. They are sharing with me some of the most personal and intimate details of their lives, and that deserves to be met with kindness and compassion. I know I say this all the time but those that I work with are incredible. They transcend the former versions of themselves into something nobody could ever imagine they would become. They try and try and try. They get discouraged and want to give up but then they try again. They show up week by week investing in themselves and little by little they end becoming a different version of themselves. I’ve watched this process happen over and over again yet even still, every single time, I’m baffled. After I watch them bend and become, we sit across from each other in awe of what has transpired. It’s magic. The therapeutic process is even more incredible than I ever imagined it as a graduate student.

Two birds flying over the ocean. This represents how Maple Canyon Therapy provides trauma therapy including for birth trauma, EMDR for eating disorders, and eating disorder treatment in Utah.

Even though therapy is hard, it’s worth it.

This year is really teaching me to do some of my own work and to put myself in experiences where I can remember what my clients are feeling. Making changes is hard. Managing anxiety is hard. Trying to be a better therapist is hard but when it aligns with our goals and values it’s worth the risk and effort. It’s worth it because we transcend little by little.

Looking for an anxiety Therapist in Utah?

I fully believe in the power of therapy for all of my clients and you. I know if you are here, you’re probably struggling and want to feel better. Therapy can help you feel better. I know asking for help is hard for you, and this isn’t easy, but I know it will be worth it. This Northern Utah Counseling Clinic has an anxiety therapist who can help you achieve your goals. To begin counseling, follow the steps below:

  1. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation

  2. Meet with a therapist for anxiety

  3. Begin achieving your goals

Online Therapy in Utah

A black woman smiling with praying hands. This represents how Maple Canyon Therapy offers binge eating therapy, anxiety treatment including for postpartum anxiety in Utah.

I know it’s already hard to reach out for help, and thinking about having to find time to travel to another appointment might seem overwhelming. I provide online therapy in Utah so that you can access a therapist as conveniently as possible. This can help you save time in your schedule while still achieving your mental health goals.

Counseling online means that if you are located in Logan, Salt Lake City, Heber, St. George, Cedar City, and more, we can work together.

Other mental health services provided by Maple Canyon Therapy

Anxiety therapy isn’t the only counseling service provided at this Utah County Counseling Clinic. Other mental health services Maple Canyon Therapy provides are body image therapy, birth trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder therapy, and binge eating disorder treatment in Utah.