The best way to get help is to be real. It’s hard to be real because it requires you to look inside yourself and ask serious questions? What is it about me that I want to change? Am I happy with who I am and what I’m doing in life? Do I feel depressed? Do I feel anxious? There are so many things that we need to consider in terms of being well. The biggest thing to think about is: what do I want? Too often we don’t consider our needs. We focus on what other people need and want. It’s easy to focus on other people because it’s a distraction from doing the real work: being your true self. It’s also hard to be your true self when you’re afraid of your thoughts. Believe me, I’ve been there. My psychiatrist told me that I am at the point where I am so afraid of my thoughts because of OCD that I can’t think clearly. Maybe you’re there too?

Just because you’re scared doesn’t mean you can’t get help though. The first step (as I said) is GET REAL. Whether you get real with an in-person therapist or an online therapist like the ones at BetterHelp or Talkspace (for example) you can work on yourself. The thing about therapy is that you NEED to be yourself. Don’t try to impress your therapist. Don’t pretend everything is awesome if it isn’t. You won’t get the help you need. As uncomfortable as it is, be YOU. Your therapist there to support you and guide you on the journey towards being the best version of you. But, that isn’t possible if you don’t show them who you are.

So…

Are you brave? Can you reveal your true self to your therapist?

I believe you can if you want help.

It’s okay to be afraid.

It’s okay to not know what’s going to happen if you tell the truth.

But the truth is what is going to make it possible for you to heal.

And the thing is, this is about wanting to get better. This is about you wanting to see yourself in a mirror.

The fear of seeing who you are can be daunting for sure. But that’s what your therapist is there for – to guide you on the journey. They are the person who is leading you down the road toward healing with a “mental flashlight.”

Can you? YOU CAN.