The Therapeutic Investment

Money is emotional. How we feel about it, our relationship to it, and what that all says about us is integral to our identities. Therapy is a significant financial commitment - an additional weekly expense added to our other financial obligations. It is no wonder that starting therapy can bring up a lot of complicated emotions about money (and ourselves). 

Therapy = money + time that we are spending on ourselves in order to improve our lives in the future. In the most traditional sense, therapy is an investment we make in ourselves. 

Therapy offers a safe, confidential space where we can openly express what is otherwise difficult to share and gain clarity. It is a process that fosters self-awareness, encouraging reflection in a non-judgmental setting. Therapy addresses underlying issues that, when left unattended, often lead to high costs in the future. Issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma can all manifest in ways that impact relationships, physical health, and work. A recent Yale analysis finds that untreated mental illness costs the US economy $282 billion annually. $282 billion. On an individual level, unaddressed mental health issues lead to lost wages, medical bills, substance abuse and so on. By addressing underlying issues proactively through therapy, we can prevent some of these costs and improve overall quality of life.

Therapy offers a safe, confidential space where we can openly express what is otherwise difficult to share and gain clarity. It is a process that fosters self-awareness, encouraging reflection in a non-judgmental setting.

Therapy helps us manage daily life stressors and emotional issues that can lead to improved performance at work and career advancement. Many of us find that through therapy, we are better equipped to manage stress, communicate effectively, and navigate workplace challenges. These skills are invaluable in any line of work and can lead to increased job satisfaction, higher productivity, and the potential for promotions or raises. As such, the financial investment in therapy can directly contribute to earning potential, making it not only a personal growth tool but also a strategic career investment.

Therapy also helps us grow in our relationships with others. Healthy relationships are key to overall happiness and healing from the effects of trauma. Unexamined and unresolved issues around interpersonal interaction often strain relationships in our personal and professional lives. It leads to conflict, misunderstanding, and the dissolution of relationships. Often the pattern of these relational issues leads to financial losses, be it job loss, divorce, or strained family dynamic. By investing in therapy we can foster resilience and the ability to cultivate emotionally rewarding relationships that often have financial benefits as well.     

Ultimately, therapy is an investment in self and when we prioritize ourselves, we can be better in the other areas of our lives. Investing in therapy not only addresses any immediate concerns but gives us the tools we need for personal growth and a more fulfilling and wealthy life.