While mental health issues are extremely common, not all people who need professional help receive it. The subject of mental health is surrounded by stigma and many misconceptions, but there is also another factor that stops people from going to therapy.
Perhaps, the main reason why people avoid therapy is the fear of being vulnerable. Talk therapy has proven to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and many other mental health problems, but to achieve the desired results, a client might need to share some deeply personal thoughts, experiences, and emotions.
Sharing our emotions is difficult because facing your vulnerabilities can be quite challenging. People may put a lot of effort into hiding their vulnerabilities, especially when they’re afraid of appearing weak. Besides, some people may not want to share something embarrassing and might be afraid of judgment.
In this article, we will consider the relationship between therapy and vulnerability in more detail and take a closer look at the common types of therapy and the treatment process itself so that you can know what to expect from it.
Vulnerability in therapy
First of all, let’s answer an important question: Does therapy make you vulnerable, in the first place? It definitely makes you vulnerable to a certain degree, but it’s also important to keep in mind that therapy allows you to heal your emotional wounds. Emotional issues can make you feel vulnerable, but therapy will help you fix these issues and eventually become stronger.
Still, discussing personal matters with someone can be difficult, so let’s think of what you can do about your fear of vulnerability. People don’t like to feel vulnerable because of the fear of potential emotional harm. That’s why it’s important to understand that a licensed therapist allows you to share your thoughts and emotions in a safe environment, with no judgment.
While being vulnerable can be a pretty stressful experience, it doesn’t make you weak. Quite the opposite, acknowledging and facing your vulnerabilities takes a lot of strength. Besides, no matter how difficult it can be, the long-term benefits of therapy certainly outweigh the short-term discomfort.
4 key benefits of therapy
You have to be vulnerable at some point because one cannot avoid discomfort and ignore problems forever. Sooner or later, you will have to face your fears, and the best way to do it is with guidance from a licensed therapist.
1. You can get the necessary support right now
You may not be ready to discuss the most complex issues at first, but a licensed therapist can provide the necessary emotional support immediately.
Every therapist knows how important it is to create a comfortable environment for clients so they will do their best to make sure that the treatment process goes at a comfortable pace.
2. Understanding that you’re not alone
It’s difficult to evaluate your own feelings and experiences because your evaluations will inevitably be very subjective. When talking to a therapist, you can learn that some of your specific experiences are quite common, and that many people deal with the same problems.
3. Letting things off your chest
Sometimes, all one needs to feel better is just to relieve the pressure and talk about something in a safe space. Even if you’re not ready to discuss some difficult topics yet, you might feel a certain sense of relief as soon as you start therapy.
4. Planning your future
Thanks to therapy, you can better understand what you need to achieve your goals, and what you can start to change right now to get closer to your goals. A therapist can develop an individual treatment plan so that you can heal and improve one step at a time.
Types of therapy
For decades, therapy required a client to sit in the same room with their therapist, but now, everything looks different. Thanks to online therapy platforms like Calmerry, you don’t need to commute to a therapist’s office because all you need is an internet connection and a mobile app.
Licensed therapists can talk to you via video calls, and you can also exchange text messages, being able to share some thoughts from virtually anywhere. Besides, you can find therapists who practice different kinds of therapy, being able to receive the right kind of treatment.
Here are some of the most common types of therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
This therapeutic modality is used most often, and a lot of research data shows that it is effective when treating a vast range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, etc.
CBT helps a client identify unhelpful thinking patterns that trigger unwanted emotions or behavior. By challenging these unhelpful thoughts and replacing them with healthy thoughts, it becomes possible to overcome the root problem.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
This modality has a lot in common with CBT, but it focuses on finding a balance between change and acceptance. DBT often relies on mindfulness practices and aims to improve distress tolerance so that a person can learn to manage emotions more effectively.
DBT is often used when a client tends to experience particularly strong emotions. For instance, it can be helpful when treating bipolar disorder. DBT is a highly structured type of therapy that requires a client to complete full modules, and the treatment process may take longer than when using CBT.
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy stems from Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, so it’s probably the oldest type of therapy. It focuses on unconscious processes in your mind and aims to make them conscious so that you can better understand your feelings and behavior.
Psychodynamic therapy has evolved significantly throughout the past few decades, and now it’s recognized as an effective time-limited therapeutic approach.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
This type of therapy was created to help people who’ve experienced trauma. Being a particularly effective type of therapy when treating PTSD, EMDR is intended to help people heal from the consequences of emotional distress.
EMDR is different from talk therapy because it encourages a client to process their emotions rather than talk about them with a therapist.
Wrapping up
While therapy requires you to face your vulnerabilities, it can help you improve the quality of your life significantly in the long term. Besides, even though you may need to discuss sensitive subjects, you will do it in a safe space, with no judgment.
Thanks to online therapy platforms, you can connect with licensed therapists who are familiar with your problem and get the help you need from anywhere you are, with no need to commute to a therapist’s office.
