Even with all of the progress we’ve made in our attitudes toward mental health and therapy, many people still find it hard to admit that they need help. And often, if they do ask for help, they’ve waited far too long. Feeling the need to suck it up, to swallow our pain, to push through the hard times on our own is not only unnecessary, it also can be quite harmful. 

For many of us, painful emotions are felt most acutely during the holidays. Some of our most fundamental issues surface when we are face-to-face with members of our family or when the pressure to show up for life’s responsibilities is beyond our limits. 

If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, I want to bust three big myths for you because now is the perfect time of year to start. 

Don’t wait until the walls are crashing down. 

Three myths about starting therapy:

1. It means something’s wrong with me. (No, it doesn’t.)
2. It means I have failed. (No, it doesn’t.)
3. It means I have to know why I want it to start it. (No, you don’t.)

As a therapist, I am truly honored when I get to witness someone sit with their feelings, take responsibility, and work toward change. If starting therapy seems scary and disempowering, consider this—it can be whatever you want it to be. 

As always, feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or experiences that you might want to share. If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast. Your feedback helps me increase the value of the program for you and makes it easier for other listeners to find us.

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Ways to connect with Danielle:  

• Website: danielleireland.com
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