Who knew seeking help would take so much courage?

“Courage, the original definition of courage, when it first came into the English language — it’s from the Latin word cor, meaning heart — and the original definition was to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart.”  ― Brené Brown

Why does such a seemingly simple thing like asking for help feel like it requires so much courage? In part it is because asking for help requires us to be vulnerable, to expose a situation or piece of our self or life with which we need some help.

The good news is that more and more people are finding the courage to seek therapy for their personal, relational, and mental health struggles. In fact, the American Psychological Association (APA) reports that nearly half of American households say at least one member of the family has sought mental health treatment in the past year.

Most people would benefit from professional therapy and support and the sad thing is that many don’t get the assistance they need. There are lots of reasons, but a common one is the stigma attached to seeking help. Additional findings by the APA show that 30 percent of people say the stigma enveloping mental health services has prevented them from reaching out.

Stigma is still a major stumbling block to seeking help. Maybe you are thinking, “What will people think if they find out I’m seeing a counselor? What if I’m spotted coming out of the office? Does seeking therapy mean I’m crazy, weak or a failure?” The truth is almost everyone has these same thoughts, and the unfortunate reality is that these thoughts are often barriers to seeking help.

Psychology Today reported that a wide variety of life challenges, changes, or transitions can hinder our ability to cope which can affect mental well-being and daily functioning.

Stigma – a sense of disgrace - is what holds people back from getting the help they need to get better. It takes a lot of courage, strength, and persistence to reach out for help, but that’s the worst part. Once you reach out, you’ll find me ready and willing to offer compassionate, skilled support as you develop coping skills and process emotions and feelings. Reach out today and you’ll find that one of those stumbling stones becomes a stepping stone!