Taking the first step to seeking treatment for anxiety, depression and other disorders can be difficult, because we can all experience some degree of anxiety, depression, moodswings, etc. in our lives as a normal part of human experience. Common signs of needing to seek treatment might be general anxiety or depression, mood swings, life transitions, career or value confusion and more. Some more severe signs you can look for to seek treatment include (but are not limited to): excessive worrying or fears that affect multiple domains of life (home, work, school, for example), frequent and unmanageable panic attacks, intrusive thoughts and/or urges, increased irritability or outbursts, frequent avoidance of social situations or other feared situations, suicidal thoughts, self-harm or self-harm urges, excessive or increased substance use, and frequent and not developmentally appropriate risky behaviors. 

Essentially, if what you’re experiencing is interfering with your ability to function on a daily basis, it is likely time to seek some professional help. The type of therapy that will be most helpful varies based on presenting concerns, personal goals and severity of overall impairment. It is also important to note that any type of treatment is often a process that involves both triumphs and setbacks. It is normal and expected that you might feel worse before you feel better. Discomfort or pain may arise when processing thoughts and/or feelings you may have tried to not think about for a long period of time. In addition, the counseling process may impact/disrupt your relationships with others as you begin to process these emotions relevant to your treatment. Please consider whether these risks of treatment are worth the benefits that can come from participating in counseling. Most people who take the risk associated with counseling have found therapy to be helpful. Below are some different treatment options and examples of when they are most useful.