Let’s face it, we all have problems. Nobody is leading a perfect life. Some problems are relatively minor and do not really disrupt your daily living patterns. Others wreak havoc on your life. So, you may be asking, should I go to therapy to deal with my issues? Psychotherapy is a commitment of time, effort, and money. Lets look at some of the factors that will help you decide if you want to make that type of commitment.

Time

If you want to actually get something out of psychotherapy, you should go into it thinking you need to go weekly for at least 3-6 months, more likely more. Some types of therapy recommend you attend multiple times a week for years. Realistically, I would recommend you go weekly for at least 6 months and see how you feel it is working. It is necessary to find a therapist and type of therapy that is a good fit for you. If you feel it is important, you will carve out time for it.  It is also important to note that you will have to spend some time working on your problems outside of the actual psychotherapy hour. Therapists are not magicians. People that are most successful are those that try to work on themselves daily.

Money

If you find a therapist in your insurance network, you will still likely have to pay a copay anywhere between $5-40 dollars, depending on your particular insurance. Every plan is different. Many therapists do not take insurance and, in those cases, you will have to pay full fee. That can be extremely expensive. I know therapists that charge anywhere from $125-$400 for an hour session. Luckily, there are also therapists who work on a sliding scale. Check your county mental health resources for therapists that are more likely to be flexible with their fees. Do you have the money to spend on psychotherapy?

Severity

There is a large difference between neurotic behavior and something that meets criteria for a clinical disorder. Neurotic behavior is something that does not disrupt your life too seriously. You can first attempt to deal with less serious issues on your own. Please see a professional if your problems are causing a serious life disruption. Therapists are trained to deal with these problems. In most cases, you are not. It is not a good idea to fool around with self-help if you are severely depressed, anxious, suicidal, homicidal, etc.

Self-Help

If you do decide that you can deal with your issues yourself, there are a lot of self-help options available. Identify your problem and I’m sure there is a book or app that can help you cope with it. The primary advantages of self-help are that it is cheaper and you can do it on your own time. Keep in mind, this will take discipline on your part and just as much effort as seeing a therapist. Some people like seeing a therapist for that very reason. It holds them accountable and focused on the work they need to do.

Stigma

You might be saying, isn’t psychotherapy for crazy people? Actually, the majority of people in therapy are coming because they want help with their everyday problems, just like you. Very rarely are there actual crazy people in a therapist’s office.  Therapy used to carry a heavy social stigma. No one wanted anyone else to know that they were going to therapy. Luckily, the world has changed and mental health issues are more in the forefront. Going to psychotherapy is nothing to be embarrassed about.  In fact, it takes courage to face your issues.

It may just be the act of seeking help and talking to someone else, but almost everyone gets some positive benefit from therapy. There are very few cases where therapy is a negative experience. If you are unsure whether psychotherapy is for you, you can always try it and find out. Most therapy does not hold you to any legal or financial commitment. If you don’t feel it is beneficial for you, you can just stop going. Going to a psychotherapist might be the best decision you ever made.