I had several people respond to my tweet about everyone needing therapy at some point in their lives that they don't think everyone needs therapy. Now that I'm feeling a little better (after Covid shot #2), I thought I would explain what I meant.

There are so many different types of therapy, and I do think most people would benefit from seeking out some type of therapy at some point in their lives. Does everyone choose to make use of the resources of therapy? No. And they may do OK. But, therapy can help.

Talk therapy - where you share about something you are going through in a confidential setting - can be helpful for most everyone, provided the therapist is skilled and the relationship between counselor and the one being counseled is a positive one.

Many people have become skilled at just pushing through whatever they are facing. They do OK without therapy, but imagine how things might be if they didn't have to push through, but instead found ways to cope with situations that were life-giving?

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps folks out of destructive patterns by offering alternatives and means for coping. This can help with everything from anxiety about situations to the way we talk to ourselves. Is it for everyone? No. But it can help many.

More specialized care involving medications and treatment for specific mental health concerns helps so many people. Does everyone need specialized care? No. But that doesn't mean therapy in general isn't helpful for most everyone at some point in their lives

I have known so. many. people. (myself included) who avoided therapy for years because they thought, "I don't need to take medication. I'm just having a temporary hard time." But therapy is so much more than medication. And not everyone needs medication.

So, bottom line (for me): I still think most everyone would find a benefit from some form of therapy at some point in their lives. Does everyone need it to survive? No. But, why just survive? Let's thrive.