Just like wearing a life jacket while boating does not mean you will fall into the water, or you wear a seatbelt means you might get into a wreck, therapy is not only for individuals, couples, and families who are struggling with a crisis or feel like they are on fire. I go to the dentist twice a year to ensure I do not have cavities. There are parts of my teeth, particularly the back molars, etc., that I cannot always see, but my hygienist sure does! I don’t avoid going because I want to make sure there are no surprises that could potentially sneak up on me. This is the way we should feel about going to therapy.
We are always evolving as individuals and as couples. What better way to ensure that when problems do creep up than to talk through those concerns by communicating in other effective ways, working through (instead of running or avoiding) conflict, and/or learning custom methods that fit us in our life and family?
While I certainly want to stay in the boat during a boat ride, IF there is an emergency or a sailing calamity in the middle of a deep lake or ocean, I want to be floating with a life jacket on. I believe therapy teaches us tools and skills to use throughout our lives so that when we go overboard, either by our own choices or by someone else’s, we can stay afloat. Therapy can certainly be used as a rescue mission, so to speak, but what damage are we being kept from with us floating around the tossed waves versus being overcome and needing a rescue buoy. I would probably want both, so why not have someone you have trusted and know to be with you whether you’re needing to gain more skills or because you’re in the midst of something really hard and you need someone to be with you in your journey?
If this resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out. Let’s get acquainted in the “This is a non-emergency” category; I just want to check in.
About Melissa Hunter
Dr. Melissa Hunter is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor (LMFT-S) in Texas. She graduated from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor with a Bachelor’s degree in Religion with a minor in Psychology, received a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Truett Seminary at Baylor University, and has a Ph.D. in Family Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Read Dr. Hunter’s s full biography here.