As we move through life, we experience highs and lows. While the highs can be absolutely spectacular (e.g., a wedding, the arrival of a new baby or successfully achieving a goal), the lows can be heartbreaking (e.g., divorce, the death of a loved one or the inability to reach a goal). Learning to cope during these trying times is vital to maintaining a full, well-balanced life. By using therapy to overcome the current issue an individual is dealing with, he or she becomes stronger. Furthermore, the strategies the individual learns from the therapists in South Jersey will help the patient overcome any future obstacles that arise.

How Therapy Works

Therapy actually alters the way an individual thinks, with the goal of teaching the patient how to direct his or her attention inward (i.e., self-referential thinking) as opposed to concentrating on the outside world. Using self-referential thinking, an individual can gain control over his or her emotions and fears.

Common concerns and conditions therapists in South Jersey treat with counseling include:

• Transitions and life adjustments (e.g., going away to college, divorce, or a death).
• Anger management.
• Drug and alcohol addiction.
• Anxiety and stress management.
• Body dysmorphic disorder — incessantly thinking about one’s perceived defects or flaws in appearance.
• Eating disorders (e.g., bulimia and anorexia).
• Relationship issues.
• Gender Identity.
• Mood changes (e.g., depression, behavioral issues).
• Grief and loss.
• Concerns related to sexual identity.
• Low self-esteem.
• Phobias.
• Spirituality.
• Suicidality.
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

3 Reasons to Try Therapy

1. To get the most out of life.

There are times when the hardships faced in life make an individual feel as if he or she is on autopilot, just trying to survive from one day to the next. Unfortunately, while moving through life on autopilot, finding success, satisfaction and happiness is highly unlikely.

The coping mechanisms people use to deal with extremely stressful situations during youth can follow them into adulthood. Typically, these coping habits are unhealthy (e.g., eating excessive amounts of a specific type of food, drinking alcohol, oversleeping and using recreational drugs). To avoid falling into this trap, patients need to learn a healthy way to cope with hardships.

The therapists in South Jersey help the patient create coping mechanisms, such as a plan detailing the patient’s strategy for change. In addition, as the patient works his or her way through the current hardship, therapists offer support and encouragement.

After completing therapy, when future hardships arise, the patient can use the coping strategies he or she learns while in therapy.

2. To learn how to stop repressing emotions.

During childhood, adults may encourage a child to internalize his or her emotions. The problem is that the suppression of emotion leads to negative thought patterns. This negative thought pattern affects several areas of the child’s life, one of which is relationships. Furthermore, unless the individual undergoes therapy to address these repressed emotions, this negative thought pattern may remain with the individual indefinitely.

To stop emotional repression, the therapists in South Jersey teach patients how to process their feelings. In addition, the therapist provides the patient with strategies that he or she can use to conquer the negativity resulting from their previously buried feelings.

3. To learn how to cope with life changes.

Whether the change is a new house, a cross-country move, a new job or a career change, a therapist helps the patient recognize his or her feelings or thoughts at each stage of the transition. In addition, patients receive support from their therapist especially during the adjustment phase.

Overwhelming emotions can feel, and sometimes are, unmanageable. Therapy helps individuals understand why certain circumstances cause them to feel overwhelmed. Therapists provide the patient with the tools he or she needs to cope with future challenges. In addition, patients learn how to look internally to discover why the issue at hand has triggered such emotion.

Looking for Therapists Near South Jersey?

Need a little more help? No problem. At Harmony Bay Wellness, we offer therapy services with our professional staff of stress therapists to help you navigate the everyday stressors of life and get you back to living. Contact us today at 855.857.6050.