Taking Time for Therapy
I think I can speak for many when I say we’ve all been crawling to the finish line, trying to make it to the new year. 2020 has been a bit unkind to people, and many could use a refreshing outlet for their frustrations.
This year has felt especially claustrophobic for me, and I’m already secretive as it is, so having a person I can confide in has shown great benefits for me over this past year. I’m talking about personal counseling. Yes, therapy.
Whether this semester is weighing heavy on you or moving back in with your parents has been less than ideal, talking to a professional about these dilemmas has its benefits. I know therapy can seem intimidating or judgmental for a lot of people who have never reached out, but considering how everyone’s mental health has been shaken up at least a little lately, there is no time like the present to try.
In this social distancing world, I have been attending sessions over Zoom once every other week in order to speak to my therapist. When asked how I liked the transition to the online space, I said that it didn’t feel like the biggest transition. To me, it almost feels more comfortable to open up about my personal life in the comfort of my home rather than a small office space.
I enjoyed going to therapy in person, but I always felt a little uneasy sitting in a cramped room filled with plants and abstract art. At least from home, I can eliminate some of the typical counseling stigmas and relax more than I may in person. Another added benefit of being close to home with therapy is how much more calm it tends to be. I can lounge around with my pillow and in my pajamas without worrying so much about how nervous I am. I was one to always squirm at therapy, regardless of how comfortable I was with my therapist, and that has since been a non-issue now that I take my sessions remotely.
I got off to a bit of a rough start at the beginning of this year, and as things began to snowball, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to fall behind in classes and create divides between myself and the people around me. I have been taking online sessions since March, and I can genuinely say I feel much more confident and comfortable with my mental health than I was earlier in the year. I consider a lot of that success as a byproduct of counseling.
I have been taking online sessions since March, and I can genuinely say I feel much more confident and comfortable with my mental health than I was earlier in the year.
– Anthony Carbonetta
No one should ignore their mental health, especially in a time where most around the globe are hurting. If you truly feel like talking to someone would help you at a time like this, I cannot stress enough how important this first step could be for you.
Arcadia also offers counseling services for students if going to see a therapist still seems too jarring or overwhelming. I have taken a few sessions in person with Arcadia’s counseling service and would recommend it to anyone who may be under a lot of stress as the semester comes to its climax.
