Anyone of any gender can benefit from working with a therapist for a wide range of reasons. In this blog, the LMV Counseling team is going to look specifically at some of the many reasons that women seek therapy. If you’re interested in learning more about why men seek counseling, make sure to come back next month when we discuss some of the top reasons men choose to work with therapists.
1 – High Expectations & Perfectionism
Whether personally, professionally, or academically, women are prone to placing high expectations on themselves. These high expectations, sometimes called perfectionism, can be beneficial to women. They are striving for excellence, and their perfectionism is part of what makes them so successful. Unfortunately, these same high standards can end up hindering successful women from achieving their goals. Perfectionism can cause higher than average levels of stress and anxiety. Over time, some perfectionists find themselves stunted by fear of failure. They take the stance, “If I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t do it at all.” By working with a therapist, women who struggle with perfectionism can adjust their perspectives and create more reasonable goals and expectations.
2 – Anxiety & Stress
Stress occurs when daily strains and worries place too much pressure on people, and it takes a toll. According to an annual study called the Stress in America Survey, women are at higher-than-average risk for stress. Anxiety or excessive worry can occur as a result of stress. High levels of anxiety and stress can take a toll on women, including leading to increased risk for illness, disordered sleep, difficulty focusing, and physical exhaustion. Therapy can help women pinpoint sources of stress and anxiety and develop tools and strategies to manage these emotions as they arise.
3 – Depression & Low Mood
Women are twice as likely as men to struggle with depression. The good news is that women are also significantly more likely to seek help from a trusted therapist when they experience depression. This mood disorder involves generally low mood as well as feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and isolation. Depression can impact all aspects of a person’s life, making day-to-day tasks like showering or going to work a challenge. In addition to an increased risk for general depression, women are also at risk for perinatal depression as well as other hormone-related forms of depression. Therapy can help women to develop skills to manage the impact of depression on their daily lives.
4 – Difficulty with Relationships & Family
In the U.S. women are perceived culturally as nurturers and caregivers. They often feel there is an expectation that they find the right partner and start a family. Once they have a family, they feel pressure to “have it all.” The right job. The right friends. The perfect family. A clean house. The list is endless. It’s no wonder that difficulty with relationships and family obligations are some of the top reasons women seek counseling. A therapist can help women understand and navigate the cultural pressures they feel surrounding family and relationships. Family or couples therapy can also help partners and loved ones become active participants in this process.
5 – Concerns About Career
In 2022, women still make lower salaries than men to perform the same job duties in many industries. They also need significantly higher levels of education and experience in order to receive the same level of promotion as male counterparts. In short, women have to work harder to reap the same rewards in their careers. This can be frustrating, stressful, and even humiliating at times. Working with a therapist can help women recognize toxic work patterns and achieve their career goals.
Interested in Working with the LMV Counseling Team?
If you’re a woman dealing with these common life challenges or you want someone to walk alongside you as you work to achieve specific goals, we hope you’ll reach out to us at LMV Counseling. Our knowledgeable team of therapists have a range of training and experience that enable us to support most therapy goals. Getting started is quick and easy. Simply take a few minutes to complete our online scheduling request. You can also call our office at (910) 210-6160 or email info@wilmington-counseling.com.
