It is not your fault. You are enough. You are not alone.

People often feel bad about themselves for feeling the way they feel and ‘failing’ to do what they think they should be able to do. Why can’t I (fill in the blank) like everyone else? This can lead to cutting off important parts of yourself, feeling inauthentic in your relationships, and can often contribute to low self-worth and a sense of isolation.

It may be helpful to consider that many more people than you would imagine– people you see walking down the street every day or working in the office next to yours–are also struggling to manage life stressors and mental and emotional issues.

Depression, anxiety and stress continue to be on the rise in the U.S. Some estimates state that 30 million American’s are taking anti-depressants–1 in 10 Americans and 1 in 4 women in their 40’s and 50’s. It is estimated that 40 million Americans suffer from problems with anxiety and that half of those diagnosed with depression also suffer from anxiety. Clearly, mood and anxiety problems are not just an individual issue, they have become a problem for our society as a whole.

Sometimes you need support along the way.

There are some things that you may not want to share with family or ‘burden’ friends with. Also, most people don’t have the skills to listen and support you the way that you need. A therapist can create a safe place for you to talk about anything you need to talk about, deeply listening to you, reflecting back your strengths, and providing encouragement and feedback to help you better cope with stressors and make positive changes.

Some people come to therapy to get support for a current situation and others may continue to work on healing old hurts and wounds the mind, heart and body have carried–maybe for many years. A good therapist can help you feel heard and understood, support you to gain new insights, learn new tools, and create more happiness and ease.

You don’t have to do it alone.