Professional Insights vs. Friendly Ear: How talking to a therapist and a friend differ
By Ascend Team
How often do you ring a friend when you get badly injured? And was it ever your first instinct to get treated by a friend in case of injury? Probably not. Instead, you would seek out a qualified doctor to address your physical health, right? Same is the case for mental health. In times of emotional distress, it becomes vital to seek the help of a mental health professional.
Therapist v/s Friend
Due to prevailing stigma surrounding therapy, many people may overlook its importance and substitute their close friends as their ‘personal therapists’. What differs between a close friend or a family member and a therapist is that the therapist is extensively trained in the field of mental health and use their expertise to guide clients towards improvement and personal growth.
How does a Therapist benefit you?
When you are talking to a therapist, you are truly being listened to. Therapists, trained in active listening, carefully interpret both the client’s words and body language to help them gain clarity and perspective on their challenges. They identify and address maladaptive behaviours that may have been overlooked in the light of distress. With a thorough understanding of their background, therapists focus on comprehending the client’s current situation, setting achievable goals for progress, and diligently tracking advancement toward those goals.
Before healing a wound, you must admit that you are bleeding. A therapist is somebody who would help you recognize your inner turmoil and navigate your way out of it. Therapists devote their time and expertise solely to addressing the client’s concerns, offering more than just casual friendly advice, but follow a structured approach to help them develop better coping skills and gain emotional clarity.
The Therapeutic Alliance
The relationship between a client and a therapist adheres to professional standards. Therapists are trained to be non-judgmental, meaning they would never criticize decisions with remarks like, "What kind of person would make that choice?" or "You’re so foolish for doing that." They also ensure confidentiality by law, allowing you to share your deepest fears and worries without concern. In contrast, conversations with friends may involve informal, spontaneous advice.
When to consider Therapy over talking to friends
Experiencing persistent negative emotions, noticing changes in eating or sleeping patterns, struggling to regulate emotions, or having difficulty processing life changes and feeling stuck in a negative mental space are all indicators that it might be beneficial to seek a therapist.
The dynamics of mental health support are not always binary- friends can provide significant comfort and can sometimes be instrumental in encouraging someone to seek professional help. Therapy provides the professional tools and techniques needed for mental health improvement, while social support offers everyday encouragement, which can reinforce the therapeutic strategies learned. Therapy cannot replace friendship; and friendship, while valuable, cannot replace the professional help that therapy offers.