10 benefits that therapy gives college students

Hi friend. In this post I am to explain to you why therapy is my secret to success in college.

Disclaimer: Read my about me page beforehand so you can get some background knowledge.

The reason I call this a secret is because it is considered so taboo. Nobody talks about this method of coping with stress. It is looked down upon.

I will admit, it has been a secret of mine for a while too. But I want to share it, because I want to help you too.

Therapy is my big secret to success. I started when I was finishing up my first semester of senior year while struggling with depression. I was FREAKED OUT.

It’s hard to be open with people. It’s hard to hear things you know to be true but don’t want to admit. The worst part about therapy is starting.

Some people say it is really hard to find a therapist you like, and I believe it. I have been lucky enough to have had two different ones whom I liked.

In between my two therapists, there was about 4 months of nothing. And boy did I struggle! My person to talk to was gone!

I stopped going to her because I thought I was “fixed” as if I ever really could be. But just because you feel better one day doesn’t mean that you don’t still need emotional support.

So after those grueling months, I searched for a new therapist. It sucked, and I felt like I could never replace my first one. But dang I had so much to say that when I first met my new therapist, I just skipped the get to know you stuff and got straight to it.

I’ve always been like that. I’ve been a talker. I need to work things out and I need the support of others. I think everyone is like that in some ways. You may not be a talker and like to bring up touchy subjects but I’m willing to guess that you like having emotional support. I mean, who doesn’t?

To those of you who find opening up hard, I couldn’t think of a better place for you! Therapy is such a safe space and the therapists have no expectations from you.

Therapy is YOUR time. You can do what you want with it. You can ask for advice, you can rant, you can learn coping mechanisms, you can just sit there in a safe space and cry. They are here for you.

If your brain is a big mess of thoughts that get tangled as easily as headphones in a pocket, then I suggest therapy. Just speaking about it and working through it will slowly untangle those thoughts for you.

Possibly one of my favorite things I have learned from my therapist is that lots of times, people don’t want advice. They just want their feelings to be validated and to be empathized with.

I think that is the best thing I have ever heard. As someone struggling with depression, this struck a cord and I immediately shared it with my loved ones so they can know how to love me best.

Now, I’m sure you are all reading this and are like “that’s great but I don’t have depression so this isn’t for me.”

Well, you are wrong.

I recommend therapy for literally everyone. My fellow college students, we have a lot going on in our lives. We need an adult we can trust to talk to and work things through with! Your roommate has good intentions but she can’t be your emotional punching bag.

And if you are a freshman like me, you need therapy!! I can’t tell you how many times I described my feelings and my therapist related it back to handling such a dramatic life transition rather than my depression.

Living on your own for the first time is hard. Making all new friends is hard. Keeping up motivation and getting good grades is hard. College is hard. Get the emotional support to give you an extra boost.

My top ten reasons for therapy:

1. Validate your feelings
2. Speak freely and know you can trust them with secrets
3. Help walk you through a big life transition
4. Speak about relationships, friendships and family issues without causing drama or hurting feelings.
5. Be able to cry and it be totally okay
6. Freedom to ask for advice
7. Emotional support. Therapists won’t bring you down, they want to bring out the best in you.
8. Untangle those messy thoughts!!
9. Learn some coping techniques
10. Lastly, if none of those reasons seem good enough for you, go to therapy for the free chocolate.

Sincerely, Meghan Ann