14 Young Women on Why They Chose to Seek Therapy, and What They Learned From It

"I had really severe stomach issues as a 15-year-old and often had panic attacks, so my mom actually forced me to see a therapist because my father has panic attacks as well! I've been going since I was 16 and have seen three therapists so far. I understand myself better and what my needs are."

"I started therapy at 20 because I realised I was suicidal. I kept going after that initial period to deal with all of the other stuff hiding underneath. It has been generally beneficial!"

"I started going while in a bad relationship in college. I didn't realise that was causing a lot of my anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc. until we broke up. After the breakup, I continued to be harassed and sexually abused by this person and couldn't find the light. Therapy has helped me tremendously to accept the things I cannot control and progress positively. It's helped me understand how to be in the relationship I'm in now and continue to behave and react in a healthy manner. It's helped me with day-to-day anxiety, figuring out my career, even understanding grief when my grandpa died. I highly suggest therapy for everyone and anyone regardless of the reason because no problem in your life is too big or too small if it affects your wellbeing."

"I go to help manage my anxiety. It's been super helpful so far and doesn't feel forced at all. I started going in March of this year and I still go."

"I started therapy when I was 19. I originally started going to therapy because I had anxiety/anger/body dysmorphia issues. I was in a toxic relationship and very confused. So, I went to therapy for three years at my college's counseling centre. Then, I got in a healthy, happy relationship (with my now husband) and stopped going! Fast forward two years ago when I started feeling the same types of stuff, with even more anxiety at the forefront, I found out the therapist I was seeing in college had his own private practice. I started going to him again, and he's helped me through everything from body dysmorphia to an eating disorder to my fear of death and everything in between."

"I started therapy last year because my dad relapsed (alcoholism). It's the best decision I've ever made. It's just helped me learn healthy coping mechanisms and given me a safe place to talk about everything."

"I'm such a big advocate for therapy. It's extremely beneficial, and I have been going to therapy for myself consistently since I was like 13 for mental health, specifically waves of depression and anxiety, and also dealing with ADHD as I got older. I just really love therapy, and I think anyone or everyone should do it because it's an invaluable resource. It doesn't hurt to speak your mind without feeling judged or bias. It's a very priceless experience!"

"I started therapy at around 15, and for the last 12 years I've been pretty consistent. I'm in a very different place obviously so my specific needs in therapy are different. Having someone to listen, challenge, and give life to the inner workings of you that you need to pay attention to can't be bad. It's the most natural way to deal with your issues and life head on. I find it's extremely beneficial because you're able to get another perspective, one that will challenge yours. Somebody who has no relation and isn't obligated to tell you what you want to hear. I went from not thinking I needed it and it's stupid to pushing others and friends outside their boundaries to do it. I think everyone should do it."

"I started going in high school because I was anxious to have sex with my first boyfriend. I went on and off all throughout high school and college. It was definitely beneficial and helped put my ruminating thoughts to words. I still go back when I need to but much less."

"I started going to therapy when I was 16 initially because of the transition from high school to college. It was right around the time of studying for SATs, looking at colleges, and all that. I felt like I wasn't sure what the future held and was really anxious, so I decided talking to my mom just wasn't enough! I stopped therapy my freshman year of college. For the year and a half that I went consistently to therapy, I think it definitely helped me put my life in perspective. It was very cathartic to talk through my thoughts and feelings. I think everyone should go to therapy at least once in their lives. It doesn't make you weak or any less resilient or courageous. It's quite the opposite actually!"

"I don't currently go, but I was dealing with the aftermath of my parents' divorce. There had been domestic violence from my mother, and I had suicidal thoughts during my senior year of high school. Throughout my freshman year of college, I began to realise that I was having lots of social anxiety, which made it difficult for me to connect with people. Therapy when I was 20 years old 100-percent helped me, and it gave me the ability to reframe and move forward with my life."

"I was 15 or 16 and I developed a panic disorder. I didn't love my therapist, but I do think talking helped in ways. I don't go anymore, but I went to CAPS (counseling service) once during college to talk to a therapist and it was honestly really helpful even just going one time."

"I find therapy very beneficial. It's an outlet for me to almost let go of everything that's been clogged in my mind and help me find a way to be more aware in a city as hectic as New York. Before, I found myself not being centreed. [My therapist] finds different practices that best suit me, like breathing practices, stress management, etc., which have helped me in the short and long term so much."

"My parents have been divorced since I was basically a baby, and I was an only child most of my life. My mum started dating someone with four kids already, so I think I started going to therapy around age 8 or 9 because my mum wanted me to have someone to talk to about it. Once my dad started dating someone and then married her, our therapy sessions quickly became about the emotional abuse that woman inflicted on me. So from then until about age 16, I was in therapy talking about this woman and trying to find ways to communicate to my dad about how upset she made me, but also learning what I had to do to gain back my confidence and undo the harm she was inflicting on me. It helped so much to have someone to talk to who was looking at the situation unbiased. I find myself becoming my own therapist now in terms of really analysing the world and the conflicts I encounter, but most importantly identifying my own issues and where they come from, then learning to confront them. My therapist changed my life."