Do I have legitimate reasons to go to therapy?

Dear Reader,

Sometimes people wait until things get really challenging before seeking support, but you don’t have to. Even when you have the “answers,” having a set time, a safe place, and a trusted person to talk to are reasons to go to your campus counseling center. Counseling centers help people with their mental health, but you don’t need to have a clinical diagnosis to be able to talk to someone. Being proactive and going to the campus counseling center is a great way for you to prioritize your mental health and well-being.  Outside of sessions with a licensed mental health provider, you may be able to speak to a health promotion professional, wellness coach, or a trained peer advocate.     

What counts as a “legitimate” reason to seek mental health support? 

Simply put, if you want to talk about aspects of your mental health and well-being, then you have a legitimate reason to reach out. Some common reasons that people go to the counseling center include:  

• Building healthier habits 
• Stress management 
• Navigating relationships 
• Dealing with major life transitions 
• Symptoms of mental illness, such as persistent sadness, excessive worrying, or other thoughts or behaviors that disrupt daily life.  

For some folks, reaching out for support can be difficult. Some common barriers include thinking they should deal with things on their own, they don’t have enough time, not knowing where to go, and stigma about mental health. However, it’s brave (and normal) to ask for help! Surveys of college students show that roughly a third of all college students will access mental health support during their time at universities.  

What kinds of support are available? 

Depending on your university, there may be many different types of support available to support your mental health on campus. It can be overwhelming to know where to start, but here’s a brief overview of who you may be able to see.   

• Therapist, counselor, or social worker. Typically, they provide one-on-one talk therapy with clients. You can speak with them about your goals, feelings, past experiences, and navigating everyday life.  
• Psychologists & psychiatrists. They offer talk therapy, as well as diagnosis of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Psychiatrists can also prescribe medications for mental health conditions.  
• Health promotion specialists. Sometimes located in a health promotion or education department, their role is to help empower people to develop healthy behaviors. They often specialize in topics such as substance use, nutrition, exercise, sexual health, sleep hygiene, and social well-being.  
• Peer support. You may be able to get support from a student who’s employed or volunteering at the counseling center. Peer support can alleviate feelings of isolation and provide relatable ideas or advice! 

If you're unsure what may support you most, professionals in the counseling center can help direct you to helpful services based on your unique needs. You may start out with an intake session to discuss your needs, goals, and any preferences you have. Furthermore, if you feel like your needs aren’t getting met by the services you’re getting, you’re allowed to switch it up! You may need to advocate for yourself and go through some trial and error to find a good fit.  

How can therapy help me if I already "know” the answers?  

Knowing what you “should” do is just the first step. For many people, making the jump from knowing the answer to putting that answer into practice requires external support. Mental health support can help you figure out what might be getting in the way of reaching your goals and intentions. Sometimes, a professional can help increase your motivation and stay accountable to reach your goals.  

 Additionally, seeking mental health support can have many other benefits. For example:  

• Develop self-awareness. Learning about your automatic patterns can help you be more intentional with how you respond to and deal with future situations.  
• Build self-confidence. Reaching goals and making progress can have positive impacts on your mental health and your self-confidence.  
• Strengthen relationships. Learning about effective communication, conflict resolution, and boundaries can improve your current and future relationships.  
• Improve academic performance. Poor mental health is one of the main reasons that students struggle in college.  

As a college student, you’re juggling a lot. Balancing academic and professional demands, social pressures, and increasing responsibility isn’t easy! Being on a college campus gives you a unique opportunity to take advantage of the resources available to students. Remember, you deserve access to services that support and enhance your well-being! 

With care,