The mental health conversation may be more prevalent than ever before but, despite our Instagram feeds regularly promoting self-care tips, attachment style checklists and emotion wheels, many continue to believe they don’t qualify for talking therapy – assuming you must be in crisis to pursue it.  

We convince ourselves we’re overreacting, someone else needs the opportunity or simply hope we’ll feel better in the morning. Yet, with new research from The Prince’s Trust and LADbible revealing 46% of 18 to 34-year-olds regularly experience poor mental health, and stress currently affecting 51% of the UK, according to Statista (2022), it’s essential we reconsider.    

If you’re anything like me, you’ll even kid yourself you’re building resilience by keeping your concerns locked in, but doing this just forces cracks to develop – which may manifest as feeling tired, angry or emotional. News flash: This isn’t character building, it’s punishing.   

When anxiety; depression; grief; health scares; relationship issues; or post-traumatic experiences start to have an impact, don’t just cope. Seek support to manage.   

From the moment you get in touch with a counselling agency, you’re embarking on a relational journey with an empathetic, non-judgemental therapist who’ll believe that your thoughts, feelings and behaviours are genuine. The size, weight and scale of the issue doesn’t matter. You matter.  

Counselling reaches the corners friendship can’t  

You may have tried talking to your friends and family about what you’re going through, and that’s a good start. But that road will only take you so far.  

The difference between therapy and friendship, besides the potential cost, is your counsellor has been trained to actively listen, reflect and challenge – guiding you at a comfortable pace. Where the conversation starts, is rarely where it finishes, as you’re invited to explore the meaning behind your feelings.  

And, if you’re not ready to discuss certain elements, that’s OK. In fact, in telling your therapist this you’re creating an honest relationship where great work can occur.  

My first experience of seeing a counsellor – coincidentally at The Fountain Therapy Trust some years ago – centred around re-establishing my sense of self after a series of difficult relationships. In essence, I was there to drop the baggage and lighten the load.  

Even then, I remember being overly polite in my email to avoid giving any impression I could be wasting anyone’s time. Yet, I was instantly made to feel welcome and, as a result, started to believe I deserved the chance to talk about my problems. What I didn’t know then, was this lack of self-validation said a lot about how I saw myself.  

If the thought of counselling is uncomfortable, is that the place to start?  

If you feel apprehensive about starting counselling, consider why.  

Does this mirror any other areas of your life where you feel hesitant?  

What’s holding you back?  

What would make you feel more comfortable?  

By flipping the script, you may discover therapy is the safest place to explore, feel equipped and evolve.  

Therapy taught me I have what it takes to keep my head up when facing choppy waters – unlike my past self who may have chosen to go under.  

So, whether you’re at the start of a potentially stressful or anxious life transition – such as a new relationship, changing job, moving house or becoming a parent or carer – or not, don’t wait for your cup to fill up before seeking support. The time to prioritise you, is now.  

If you’re based in South West London and want access to affordable in-person or online counselling, complete our Fountain Therapy Trust form or speak to our team to learn more.  

Donna is an integrative counsellor at The Fountain Therapy Trust, having recently qualified through a part-time training programme at Kingston College.