Things That I've Never Even Been Able To Acknowledge Myself
“I've admitted things with my counselor that I've never even been able to acknowledge myself.
I have now been working with my BetterHelp counselor since January 4th, 2018. I signed up for help with depression, anxiety disorders, feelings of hopelessness, and what I felt was the start of some self-destructive behavioral patterns. I am now in a much more stable place emotionally and mentally, but I originally felt like I was one breath away from a nervous breakdown before I started seeking professional support.
I had tried in-person counseling a few times before BetterHelp. While those services provided a good introduction for me to receiving support, I knew the people and organization through my work as we had many clients in common. This made it hard for me to open up and talk about my primary concerns and experiences. However, I was grateful for the experience as it opened doors for me to seek further support.”
How did you find BetterHelp?
“I believe I saw an ad for BetterHelp on Instagram. The flexibility of BetterHelp’s online platform were major contributing factors in my decision to sign up to try it. Being able to do sessions over the phone when it worked for my schedule seemed convenient and ended up being one of my most enjoyable perks of the service.”
What did you enjoy most about BetterHelp?
“Having the flexibility to write out my feelings or struggles to later have my counselor offer support and guidance was super beneficial to my growth and healing journey. I ended up admitting things that I'd never been able to even acknowledge to myself previously, let alone anyone else allowing me to get to the root of some of my main areas of concern.
Finding support, validation, and tools for managing trauma and complex feelings
Additionally, having support to help me realize that I'm not alone, the confirmation that I was struggling with a lot of dysfunction in more than one area of my life, and the validation of my experiences both past and present were essential to my journey. Perhaps most importantly, I learned that there are skills or tools I can utilize to help manage trauma responses and more dense or complex, nuanced feelings.”
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Where are you in your healing journey today? Confronting “things that I've never even been able to acknowledge myself”
“Today, I find that I am better able to self-assess more often now, honoring what or how I'm feeling and truly “sitting” with any stress or heavy emotions I may be feeling or grappling with at that point in time.
Embracing self-care and growth through therapy and yoga training
I try to take the time I need for myself now, practice more self-care, and write a lot of my feelings out rather than compartmentalize them. I'm encouraged to get moving physically more often. I'm not quite where I want to be yet, but hope to be soon with the help of online therapy and the therapeutic yoga training I've enrolled in.
I've made some very big changes and decisions that I'm not sure I would have been able to do without my counselor's support. I am feeling grateful that I was able to overcome my pride and ask for help when I needed it.
Realizing the strength in asking for help
Being able to ask for help, I now realize, is a sign of strength and not weakness. I'm on the road to claiming all of my power back and feeling much stronger these days as I confront things that I've never even been able to acknowledge myself before!”
How can online therapy help those experiencing depression or feelings of hopelessness?
When someone is living with symptoms of depression or feelings of hopelessness, it can feel nearly impossible to get out of bed—let alone leave the home. This can present a potential barrier to support, as some therapeutic options require a person to be physically present. Online therapy allows people living with depression to connect with a therapist in a way that is comfortable for them, whether by live chat, audio, videoconferencing, or a combination of these methods.
Is online therapy effective?
As we see in Anita’s case, online therapy can be helpful in supporting those with a variety of mental health concerns. Recent research has found that online therapy is effective for addressing symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, and other conditions. One meta-analysis published in eClinicalMedicine found online therapy was more effective than in-person therapy for reducing depression.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
What is one example of “things that I've never even been able to acknowledge myself”?
One example might be admitting feelings of self-doubt or fear you've buried for a long time, avoiding them because they felt too overwhelming to face.
How can I tell if online therapy is the right choice for me compared to in-person therapy?
Online therapy might be right for you if you prefer flexibility, convenience, or the comfort of connecting with a therapist from your own space, especially if in-person options feel less attainable or comfortable.
What should I expect during my first online therapy session with BetterHelp?
In your first session, expect to discuss your concerns and goals with your therapist, who will help set a comfortable pace and establish a plan tailored to your needs.
How does BetterHelp ensure discretion in my therapy sessions?
BetterHelp uses technology and follows strict standards to ensure all communication between you and your therapist remains discrete.
Can I switch therapists on BetterHelp if I feel like my current counselor isn't a good fit?
Yes, BetterHelp allows you to easily switch therapists at any time if you feel your current counselor is not the right match for you.
What types of mental health issues can be effectively addressed through online therapy via BetterHelp?
BetterHelp can help with a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship challenges, and more by connecting you with therapists experienced in your specific areas of concern.
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