Why Therapy Matters
Feb 25, 2021
7 min read
Resolvve loves mental health education for student growth, but therapy is still irreplaceable.
Written by Noah Tile
Illustration by Mayara Lista
A Resolvve therapist reflects on the opportunities that therapy affords students.
Resolvve believes that education is key to solving the mental health crisis. Students lack the psychological skills, tools and habits to flourish. This through no fault of their own, as these skills and tools belong in the curriculum. Just like there are educational modules in school for phys ed. and sex ed., it’s crucial to provide mental health ed. Click here to read more about why education matters and what Resolvve is doing to bring this to the world.
That said, education is no substitute for the benefits of professional mental health support. Time and time again, psychotherapy is shown to positively impact psychological and emotional well-being across a variety of anxiety and mood disorders.
Below we will highlight some reasons why therapy is inherently valuable.
Working with a Professional
Mental health professionals spend years in clinical training and supervision. This expertise cannot be replicated in online modules or books.
Sure, there are how-to manuals for doing taxes, or for playing guitar; many things can be self-taught. Yet most of us still need accountants, guitar teachers and psychotherapists, even with access to the best resources in the world. Learning from a professional lets you tap into their mastery of the field. It will help you find the root of your problems and the easiest path towards personal growth.
Resolvve's therapists have years of mastery, training, and clinical experience supporting students. They are trained to work with students just like you, helping them with their mental health, academic success and personal growth.
Life Context
Learning resources are produced for a generalized audience, while a therapy session is focused on you and you alone. The knowledge, skills, and tools learned in one’s therapy session are curated to your unique life needs and experiences. A trained professional helps you implement what you learn in therapy into your unique life situation.
A New Relationship
Sadly, many people find it difficult to open-up to loved ones about their mental health. Some might feel shame and worry that they won’t be accepted, supported, or understood; others do not want to burden loved ones who deal with challenges of their own. Either way, many clients to come to therapy with issues related to trust, connection, safety and validation in interpersonal relationships.
Therapy is a space to practice and test their ability to develop a safe and secure connection with another human being, the therapist. Good therapists cultivate empathy, warmth and acceptance. Good therapists invite clients to be understood, in an open and non-judgmental way. These are important interpersonal characteristics that can help improve the therapeutic alliance and increase therapeutic effectiveness. An incredible summation of this research and the development of these practical, measurable skills can be found in the book Effective Psychotherapists, by Dr.’s William Miller and Theresa Moyers.
Having asecure attachment to loved ones is a positive predictor of psychological and emotional well-being. A secure attachment generates a sense of safety, trust, interdependence, and positive regard between two people. The hope is that this new positive way of interacting in therapy can help you develop the confidence to open up and take risks outside of therapy, in order to repair, improve and build trusting relationships with your loved ones.
More than anything, loneliness increases the risk for mental health difficulties. One way to make people feel less alone is to have someone trusted to talk with. This in and of itself can have tremendous value.
Blind Spots and Wisdom
On the other hand, some people have secure relationships and a robust support system, but their relationships may lack in objectivity. It can be difficult to point out to loved one’s areas where improvements need to be made. Many people struggle with receiving criticism and feedback, especially if it is not communicated well.
In therapy, you are afforded the opportunity to be shown your blind spots, to be given an extra set of fresh eyes, far outside the world and relationships you inhabit. A therapist will be compassionate, but also straightforward and honest when appropriate. This helps you improve in all areas of your life. Often this occurs in unexpected areas that you were blinded to prior.
You can also take advantage of therapy by bouncing off ideas, thoughts, feelings and motivations to the therapist, whose job it is to help you clarify and refine what matters to you. The wisdom and guidance of the therapist can help be a mirror, pointing you towards making wiser choices in your own life.
Accountability
In therapy, your goals, hopes and aspirations become known to someone else. The therapist keeps you accountable and measures your progress. People are more likely to follow through on commitments, personal and academic, when they are publicized in some way. By talking openly with your therapist about all the different ways you plan to improve your life, you publicize your goals with someone who is regularly following up with you, often on a weekly basis. This challenges you to make the necessary changes and speed up your personal growth, benefiting yourself and your loved ones.
If Therapy is Not Possible
If for whatever reason, therapy is not possible, Resolvve’s Learning mimics the benefits that therapy affords. Resolvve’s modules are taught based on the research and practical wisdom of professionals in the field of psychology, pedagogy, and the behavioral sciences. We sincerely hope it is helpful.
Second, try your best to seek support from loved ones, especially if they can be there for you in a secure and supportive way. Or even learn strategies to improve communication, if these conversations are new for your loved ones. Share with them how things are going in your life, and how you are feeling. Involve them in your growth and even learn modules with them! Additionally, seek out peer support by getting involved in the Resolvve community, to meet linked individuals with similar struggles.
Either way, you do not have to feel alone.
Moreover, find a trusted friend or loved one who can be an accountability partner for you, who can do Resolvve Learning Modules with you. It should be someone whom you can share your personal, academic and professional goals with, who can follow up and check in to see how you are progressing. Ask for this trusted individual to be another set of eyes in bouncing off ideas with, and for pointing out your blind spots. Be open to their feedback.
With these suggestions in place, we think you can maximize some of the benefits you might get from therapy, without having therapy sessions.
Recap
Mental health education matters, and with our suggestions mentioned in the above section, it can be utilized in a maximally effective way. That said, there is still no substitute for the value that access to a qualified mental health professional affords. At Resolvve, our goal is to make sure that you have highly skilled and qualified therapists, who get the unique challenges of student life and who seek to help you meet your goals, personally, academically, and professionally.
Book a 15 minute consultation with one of our experts.
