Is Therapy Right For Me?

We can all benefit from the many types of therapy available to help us cope with our daily lives. This is especially true when coping with the many expected and unexpected emotional ups and downs that we face during our journey with and after cancer.

One of the ways I have chosen to help me cope is speaking with a therapist. It’s a great way to express my feelings and obtain useful tools to assist me with my emotional recovery. If this is something that interests you but you’d prefer not to be in an office setting, I highly recommend looking into seeing a therapist that also uses modern technology like Skype or FaceTime so that you can have the session in an environment that allows you to feel more comfortable expressing yourself.

Sometimes the office setting can be intimidating and cold, which in turn can result in you not sharing as much. You may also not feel physically ready or even have the transportation, so this will keep you from waiting to long to seek help. Personally, Skype has been a great option for me. 🙂

Let’s say one-on-one just isn’t your thing. That’s no problem at all. Group therapy is another great option. In fact, while not in a group setting, I have found it extremely helpful to speak with other women that have had similar experiences. A group setting can take away the “attention is on me” feeling and allow you to flow with the conversation started by another individual. Listening to their stories can also provide you with a wealth of knowledge without ever having to ask a question.

This is so important. My experience has shown me that while the doctors may provide us with a brief summary of what we can expect, most things we figure out on our own. We don’t even know they exist until we experience them, so how do we know what additional questions to inquire about in order to be better prepared? This is why listening to others can be so valuable. You can get an even broader perspective of the ups and downs you too may face. This means it wont shock you when it happens and will allow you to mentally prepare for it if it should occur.

I’ve shared my thoughts about some of the most obvious forms of therapy but what about the not so obvious alternatives. There are many of them out there. Meditation, Hypnoses, Chakra Cleansing, Aroma Therapies, Guided Imagery, EFT ( aka Callahan Method) and many many more. Mediation and EFT have also proven to be very effective for me in the past and are methods I continue to use today.

Lastly, one of my favorites is utilizing the out doors. I love being around nature and find that it grounds me almost instantly. The more I do it, the better I feel. It may be just sitting outside and listening to the breeze flow through the trees or the birds singing, walking on the grass or on the beach with my bare feet. Its all perfect for me. In fact, I even hugged a tree during my vacation last year in Mt. Shasta and I must say, I may have looked ridiculous doing it but it felt awesome. I didn’t want to let go! 🙂

All in all, I find therapy an essential part of my recovery and I really hope you too will consider it if you haven’t already done so. You are truly worth every moment you invest in yourself. ❤ ❤

Stay tuned,

Elizabeth 🙂