DIY is great in theory, but when does it actually make sense?
When scrolling social media, looking through books at the library, or talking with friends and family, there is always some do it yourself project or suggestion that is given to “better yourself”. “You should try reading Brene Brown, listen to this podcast, join this class, check out this mindfulness app,” and the list goes on and on!
Honestly, there are some incredible resources at your fingertips, and a lot of times easily accessible right through your smart phone.
Many people when facing a problem in their life often turn to self-help books for support, guidance, resources, or ways to overcome. At times, these books can seem to apply directly to the problem that you are facing OR completely distract us from all of our problems. Reading can actually both be a coping strategy or something that educates us.
I love reading. In fact, I am the type of reader that once I pick up a book I cannot put it back down until the book is finished. Which as you can imagine can be problematic when it comes to managing social interactions, eating, and even going to bed at a normal hour! The dog below is often me when I am in the middle of a good read:
I love reading fiction books, but have also read a few powerful books too!
My Top 5 Recent Books that I Have Read
Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD
Holding up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankel
When reading Man’s Search for Meaning I found myself wondering and asking so many questions. How does this apply to my life? How does this look and what does this mean in therapy? There were parts that were confusing and truly left me with more questions than answers.
Unfortunately, the downside of reading is you often don’t get the opportunity to ask the authors these questions. Or to directly apply it to your life. Nobody is there to really support you in connecting each piece to your life directly.
That doesn’t mean a therapist is needed to work through every book or app (I actually highly encourage you to check some out with or without a therapist). So when do you need to work with a therapist? When should you move out of the do it yourself world and jump head first into mental health counseling?
How do you know when self-help books and apps aren’t enough?
You feel overwhelmed or unmotivated to follow through on any self-help suggestion (whether it is a book, app, class, or podcast).
You feel as if you have followed every book/app/podcast suggestion and still are struggling. Maybe you haven’t reached your goals (academic, social, athletic, career, etc.), or you still lack meaning in life.
You don’t feel like any podcast, app, or provided suggestions really describe the situation or problem you may be experiencing.
You’d rather have a dialogue or conversation that is two-sided.
So what can a therapist do that a self-help book/app/podcast/class cannot?
Empower you to work towards your goals.
Help hold you accountable to reaching your goals. Therapy is not always easy - it will come with hard work!
Meet with you consistently (weekly or biweekly) to check in on progress, work through any barriers or objections, problem solve, and provide support.
Help you gain understanding and awareness. Self-help books provide information, but don’t help with any connections or realizations in your own life.
Self-help books do not directly apply to your own personal life. Therapy is directly about YOU and your life!
Provide an opportunity for discussion and interaction. Self-help books don’t respond back or give any feedback or thoughts. There is no human interaction.
Therapists do not use a cookie cutter approach - each person is unique and different! Self help books/apps/podcasts are exactly the same for every single person that consumes them.
So how do you know if this applies to you in your current phase of life?
Do you have a goal that you are trying to reach that you have been unsuccessful at reaching?
Are you struggling in your current stage of life (athletic career, academics, within your career, parenthood, empty nester)?
Have you tried all the different self help avenues, actually implemented them and attempted them, and still feel stuck?
Are you still struggling with whatever barrier (anxiety, stress, burnout, time management, decision making, phobias, etc)?
Schedule a 15 minute phone consultation HERE to determine if therapy is the right next step for you! In the meantime, here is a list of apps/books that could be helpful while you wait! Sometimes it does make sense to be the golden retriever falling asleep to a really good book or podcast!
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