How to Know If Therapy Is Right for You

There’s a common idea that therapy is something you turn to only when life falls apart, when anxiety is unbearable, depression has taken over, or you’ve hit a crisis point.

But in reality, most people don’t start therapy because of a single, dramatic moment. They start because something just isn’t working anymore. Maybe it’s your stress levels, your relationship patterns, your motivation, or the constant mental noise that won’t switch off.

At Inner Sphere Wellness, we see therapy as a tool for understanding yourself better, not a last resort. It’s a space to pause, reflect, and figure out what’s actually going on under the surface, before things start feeling unmanageable.

So how do you know if therapy is right for you? Let’s dig into that.

Myth: Therapy Is Only for Crisis

One of the biggest barriers to reaching out for counselling is the belief that you have to be “bad enough” to deserve support.

People often tell themselves:

• “Other people have it worse.”

• “I should be able to handle this on my own.”

• “It’s not that serious, I just need to toughen up.”

But therapy isn’t about comparing suffering or proving that things are “bad enough.” It’s about noticing when you’re stuck in a pattern that’s no longer serving you, and giving yourself permission to get curious about it.

You don’t wait until you have a cavity the size of a crater to see a dentist. You go when something feels off, or just for a check-in. Counselling can work the same way: a chance to take care of your emotional health before it starts shouting for attention.

Common Reasons People Seek Counselling

Here in Squamish, life moves fast. Many people juggle demanding jobs, outdoor adventures, family life, and the expectation that they should be thriving while surrounded by all this natural beauty. But that “always on” culture can come with pressure, and it’s easy to feel like you’re falling short if you’re not feeling happy or energized all the time.

Some common reasons people reach out for therapy include:

• Anxiety or overthinking that’s hard to turn off.

• Low mood, depression, or burnout that makes daily life feel heavy.

• Grief or loss, whether recent or long-standing.

• Relationship struggles, from communication breakdowns to feeling disconnected.

• Stress at work or home, especially when boundaries have blurred.

• Big life transitions, like a move, a new job, or an identity shift.

• Or simply, wanting to understand yourself better, how you tick, what drives you, what keeps you stuck.

Therapy isn’t just for the hardest moments. It’s also for when you’re doing “fine,” but something in you knows there’s room for more ease, self-trust, or clarity.

Signs Therapy Might Help You

If you’re unsure whether therapy is worth it, here are a few signs that it might be time to check in:

• You keep replaying conversations or events in your head and can’t seem to let them go.

• You notice physical tension, restlessness, or exhaustion but can’t pinpoint why.

• You’ve tried all your usual coping tools, exercise, journaling, venting to friends, and it’s not cutting it anymore.

• You feel numb or disconnected, like you’re moving through life on autopilot.

• You’re aware of patterns that repeat (in relationships, motivation, emotions), but changing them feels impossible.

You don’t have to have a crisis to want things to feel lighter. Often, therapy is most effective when you catch those patterns early, before they spiral into burnout, depression, or relationship breakdowns.

What Therapy Is (and Isn’t)

Therapy is not about being analyzed, “fixed,” or told what to do. It’s not a lecture, and it’s not a confession booth.

What it is, is a conversation with someone trained to help you notice what’s happening inside and around you. A good therapist will offer reflection, gentle challenge, and curiosity, not judgment.

At Inner Sphere Wellness, our approach is trauma-informed, meaning we recognize that past experiences (big or small) can shape how we move through the world. We focus on creating a sense of safety and trust first, so that you can explore your story at your own pace.

Our counsellors use a mix of approaches, from talk therapy to somatic (body-based) work, depending on what fits you. Because just like there’s no one right way to be human, there’s no one right way to do therapy.

You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out to Start

Many people put off therapy because they don’t know what they’d talk about. But honestly, that’s what the first session is for: to figure it out together.

You might start with, “I don’t even know why I’m here,” and that’s completely fine. Sometimes, the simple act of slowing down and having space to think out loud can be enough to spark insight and relief.

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or just the general chaos of being human, therapy offers a space to sort through it all without needing to perform, fix, or justify.

Taking the First Step

Reaching out for counselling doesn’t mean something’s “wrong” with you, it means you’re taking your mental health seriously. It means you value your well-being enough to get curious about what’s underneath the surface.

If you’re based in the Sea to Sky area and wondering whether therapy is right for you, you don’t have to decide alone. Our team of Squamish counsellors offers a free consultation to help you explore whether we’re the right fit and what kind of support might help.

You can connect with us here or reach out with any questions.

Sometimes, that first step, just saying I think I might need something different, is where change begins.