When you’re blindsided by a crisis, feelings of hopelessness can quickly escalate and take over much of your life. You’re not alone there. However, it’s important to realize that times of crisis can also present opportunities for incredible personal growth. Knowing when to reach out to a professional therapist can mean the difference between realizing that growth and falling further into despair.

Everyone faces crises during their life; it’s how you deal with them that determines your path forward. A good therapist will help guide you through the chaos of personal crises and give you tools to cope so that you can emerge on the other side with a newfound sense of control and self-awareness.

When a Crisis Becomes a Turning Point.

The very definition of “crisis” gives us insight into the opportunity that emerges from such hardships. While Merriam-Webster defines crisis as “an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person’s life,” it also offers an alternative definition: “the turning point for better or worse.”

No matter what type of obstacles you experience — whether related to your relationships, career, finances, health, spirituality, or identity — the common denominator is change. And, while change can be uncomfortable, it can also lead to a powerful turning point in your life.

Whether that turning point steers you towards a positive or negative outcome can depend greatly on if and when you choose to seek professional support. Seeking the help of a qualified therapist will help you better manage and adapt to the difficult situation at hand.

Seeking therapy too long after a crisis is a missed opportunity. The sooner you seek help, the sooner and more able you are to realize complete healing.

Reframe Your Negative Situation into a Positive Outcome.

Crises affect everyone at some point or another – they’re an inevitable, unfortunate part of life we’d certainly all rather avoid.

Or would we? After all, hindsight is 20/20. Many people look back on a painful situation that felt unbearable at the time, only to realize it was that crisis that helped them build something better for themselves.

We get it – in the moment, a crisis feels like the worst thing(s) that could happen. It throws you into unfamiliar territory, takes you out of your comfort zone, and unravels your sense of certainty.

It’s that last part that makes it crucial to seek help. When your emotions and ability to think logically are altered, don’t try to go it alone. Taking on that burden can lead to further debilitating emotional and mental issues and make your path forward harder than it needs to be.

Realize How Fragile Your Internal Emotional State is – and get it the Support it Needs.

A crisis can hit you like a domino effect, amplifying other underlying issues. For example, following the death of a loved one, or during a painful divorce, you may slide into depression or find your social anxiety worsening.

It’s at the onset of a crisis when additional support is needed the most.

Before you can move past a difficult situation, it’s important to work with your therapist to identify any recurring problems that can become bigger issues when ignored. In the moment of experiencing a crisis, your defenses come down, your usual ways of dealing with hurtful situations fail and you’re less able to process your feelings. Your counseling sessions will identify issues that need to be addressed at the crisis’ onset to manage them in a healthy way. These can include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship problems
  • Compulsive behaviors
  • Anger
  • Stress
  • Self-esteem
  • Work-life balance
  • Thoughts of suicide

That’s why this is the exact moment — when a crisis is upon you — to rely on a trusted therapist to help you overcome the emotions that are pulling you down and break destructive patterns in your life.

This is when you need to put in action a solid crisis management plan that provides a path towards a more positive outcome.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Move Beyond Crisis and Foster Growth for Lasting Change.

With the help of therapy, whether in person or through telehealth counseling, you can learn to move beyond the difficulties surrounding a crisis situation, and foster growth for lasting positive change.

Breaking Down Barriers to Healing

Whether or not you’ve previously sought in-person or telehealth therapy, it’s important to find the right fit when seeking counseling during a difficult time. You may be hesitant to contact a therapist due to concerns about cost, availability, cultural barriers or social stigma — but these concerns can cause you to miss your critical window of opportunity and lead to worsening mental health.

Often concerns about insurance or cost can seem like a barrier to starting therapy – it may be helpful to know that many providers will work with you so that you can get the help that you need.

We’re here for you. Schedule your appointment.

At Therapy Today, we pride ourselves on providing accessible, affordable solutions in a warm, safe, and welcoming environment. We’re trained in proven therapeutic approaches and crisis management techniques that get results. We also offer same-day and telehealth appointments, so you can get started sooner and feel better faster.

If you’re experiencing a crisis, our caring staff is ready to help you find your turning point and learn to live well, love well and work well today.