Most of us face struggles at some point in our lives and relationships. These struggles may include problems with a member of our family, stress at work or difficulty with a romantic partner. Struggles may include emotional symptoms such as depression or anxiety, behavioral problems such as having difficulty throwing useless items away or drinking alcohol too often, and cognitive symptoms such as repetitive upsetting thoughts or uncontrolled worry. Sometimes, life’s struggles can be eased by taking better care of yourself, and perhaps talking about the issues with a supportive friend or family member.

But there may be times when these steps don’t resolve the issue. When this happens, it makes sense to consider seeking the help of a qualified licensed psychologist. How do you know if therapy is needed?

Two general guidelines can be helpful when considering whether you or someone you love could benefit from therapy. First, is the problem distressing? And second, is it interfering with some aspect of life?

If the challenges you are having in your life are negatively affecting your life, and your current relational support system is not effective, or if you just want someone who can help that is not directly involved in your day-to-day affairs, then therapy may be right for you.