Why Talking to Someone (Even When You’re Not Sure You Want To) Is Important

It can feel uncomfortable talking to someone about emotions and pain. Individuals may not even want to take that step because it feels vulnerable. This does take an incredible amount of courage and vulnerability, but sometimes, being vulnerable provides the strength to heal.

Without talking to someone about struggles, traumas, and emotions, a person may start to withdraw, and those negative feelings only grow deeper. As much as talking to a trusted loved one or friend offers relief at the moment, it is vital to participate in talk therapy with a licensed professional for true clarity and improvement.

What Is Talk Therapy?

Talk therapy, often called psychotherapy, is a technique to help clients identify and remedy harmful emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Talk therapy is one of the most effective treatments for those who’ve experienced trauma. The impact of trauma can be lifelong, but trauma-informed care recognizes that impact and delivers the proper care with that in mind.

For mental health professionals, addressing trauma has become a vital aspect of many forms of therapy. Understanding trauma and its impact promote healing. Without such treatment, those who’ve had traumatic experiences in their lives often find themselves in seclusion, which can lead to the risks of mental health and substance abuse disorders.

The Benefits of Talk Therapy

Talk therapy offers support in a way nothing else can. Trauma can feel isolating, making an individual feel unheard and unimportant. They might even feel ashamed of their experience and lack of support.

A trauma response is your reaction to trauma. Someone who experiences trauma will be grateful to have survived, but feelings of fear or anger will surface soon after, and they may experience harsh reactions long after the trauma has passed. They constantly feel alert or fearful of certain external stimuli that trigger that response. Talk therapy can offer valuable tools and techniques to work through obsessive thoughts, fear, and anger to work through these responses.

Professional therapy offers a level of reality and recognition needed to heal. Whether speaking with a therapist or a support group, understanding that others have experienced trauma too, that you’re not alone, and that you have a right to feel how you feel makes a difference in your care and progress. Even if you aren’t seeking validation, talk therapy provides empathy and understanding, so you do not feel isolated.

Although trauma will never fully make sense, putting those emotions into words brings a sense of clarity and benefits survivors of trauma immensely. Much like writing things down can be cathartic, speaking them aloud allows individuals to process and renew power through their voice.

Sometimes, clients wish to avoid talking about their worst moments. It can be painful, and discussing those moments can feel like reliving them, but letting it out and even breaking down can offer much-needed relief. Speaking with a therapist about trauma, working through the experience, and understanding the emotions it caused can bring about healing. It affirms feelings and validates responses.

Although trauma does not need to define a person, it can alter their belief system, faith, and worldview. Evaluating all the changes in therapy that have come from enduring trauma encourages refocusing and moving forward.

Venting Versus Talk Therapy

It is daunting to talk about anything unpleasant. Clients may not want to go there, but that fear of awkwardness or reliving bad experiences prevents them from moving on.

Talking to anyone can be helpful; however, venting and talk therapy are not the same. Consider venting to a friend. You might tell them you feel burned out, and they say the same. That can feel good at the moment, as they related to you, and you felt heard. Often, though, especially regarding trauma, talking about it is more about the response and the action than just the talking aspect.

There’s nothing wrong with venting, but it isn’t a replacement for proper professional therapy. A therapist, unlike a friend, knows what is needed and explores topics deeper in a safe space. A therapist will ask thoughtful questions with compassion and intent. It is about respect, not curiosity. If you share something traumatic with a friend, even with the best intentions, they may be curious and ask questions that feed their intrigue or the gossip mill more than your personal growth.

To truly offer long-term stability and healing, therapy is the most beneficial outlet for anyone who has endured trauma in their life. Even if they are hesitant to seek help, talking will allow them to work through their emotions and find a safer and healthier headspace.

Many people don’t want to talk to someone about their feelings, as it leaves them feeling vulnerable. You don’t know how someone will respond or if they’ll understand. Sure, venting to a friend can offer a sense of relief, but to truly work through deeper emotions and traumatic experiences, therapy is the best outlet. Speaking with a licensed therapist allows clients the space they need to use their voice, gain validation, and learn the coping skills necessary to heal. The impact that trauma can have on a person, their mood, behaviors, and life, in general, is extreme. Allowing space for growth and understanding within the safety and security of therapy helps rebuild confidence. Here at Havenwood Academy, we provide that sense of calm support to teen girls to move forward. Call us at (435) 586-2500 to hear about our competitive insurance offerings and residential care.