You Don’t Have to Be in Crisis to Start Therapy
Therapy isn’t just for rock bottom.
Let’s just get this out of the way: therapy isn’t only for when “something’s wrong.” It’s for “I think I want something different.” And that different could mean a million things:
I want to feel different.
I want to date different kinds of people.
I want to communicate differently.
I want my family to look at me differently.
Why do people look at me differently?
Am I different?
See, I started spiraling there with you... and therapy? It’s for that, too.
It’s for the spiral. The stuck-ness. The overthinking that’s living rent-free in your brain. (Rent free? in this economy?)
You don’t have to be falling apart to start therapy. You just have to be willing to get a little more honest with yourself. And yeah, that can be scary. But it doesn’t have to be.
I really believe that when you find the right therapist (maybe me, who knows), it’s not scary-it’s grounding. Your therapist walks with you. Yeah, yeah, cheesy…but also true.
⏱️ So, When Is It Time to Start Therapy?
People ask me this a lot. And honestly? If you’re asking…it might be time.
Maybe nothing is technically “wrong.” But still…
You’re doing okay, but something feels…off
You’re randomly sad, lonely
You hate your job
You thought you’d be closer to your siblings by now (we were supposed to grow out of the teenage weirdness, right?)
Your relationship doesn’t feel like you thought it would-maybe it’s confusing, lonely, or just kind of flat
You’re rethinking big life stuff: Do I want kids? Should we be DINKS? Do I go to college? Grad school? House? Apartment? Costco or Target??
You’ve seen “inner child work” during your doom-scrolling and thought: Okay wait, do I have this “inner child” thing?
You’re tired of being the one who holds it together- for your partner, your friends, your mom, your boss...everyone
You don’t need a full on-crisis to get support.
You just need to want something to feel different.
🛋️ So…What Does Therapy Actually Look Like?
Alright, picture this: you walk into a therapist’s office (or hop onto ZOOM) and yes- you sit on a couch.
But unlike binge-watching another docuseries about cults or con artists, this hour is about you.
Sometimes therapy looks like:
Venting about your day without worrying you’re “too much”
Naming the anxiety that’s been living in your chest
Learning how emotions show up in your body- because if you don’t have words for what you’re feeling, your body probably still does
Realizing how your family taught you about love, trust, and communication- and deciding what you want to keep or let go
Therapy helps you slow down, get honest, and take care of yourself in ways that are sustainable- not just aesthetic.
🤝 What to Expect in Your First Session
I get it- starting therapy sounds scary.
But I promise, we’re regular people.
We’re not going to ask for your entire life story five minutes in, and we’re definitely not going to make you rehash your trauma on day one.
Your first session might sound like:
“What brings you in today?”
“What’s been going on lately?”
“What do you hope might be different?”
And guess what? You don’t have to have all the answers.
We’ll figure it out together.
It’s low pressure, collaborative, and conversational.
You set the pace. I’ll bring the curiosity (and probably some laughter, too).
💬 Final Thought
Therapy doesn’t have to be heavy, and it doesn’t have to be forever.
But it can be one of the best things you do for yourself.
So if you’re wondering whether therapy might help- you already have your answer.
Nathalie Vega, LMFT