
All kinds of people from all walks of life come to therapy for many different reasons.
On one end of the spectrum, a person might want to focus in on a particular issue that they know is the source of their seeking therapy. For example, a person may be experiencing issues in their relationship that they know they would like to resolve.
On the other end of the spectrum, a person might not know exactly why they are engaging in therapy; there might be a general feeling of unease or dissatisfaction in their daily lives, and wish to explore this feeling further.
Often a person will come to therapy thinking that they have a particular issue, and realise that there are other contributing factors that were out of their awareness. They may be open to further exploration, or choose not to do so.
Here is a brief list of some of the reasons why a person might seek counselling or psychotherapy:
Personal growth and development
Dissatisfaction within relationships & careers
Dissatisfaction with life generally
Issues with a marital spouse or romantic partner
Issues within a family dynamic
Parental/child dynamics
Feelings of stress and being overwhelmed
Issues to do with sexuality and sexual attraction
Feelings of isolation and loneliness
Dealing with grief and bereavement
Feelings of shame and guilt
Issues with alcohol and substance abuse
Issues to do with fertility and difficulty conceiving
Trauma and PTSD
Chronic illness and chronic pain
Anxiety and depression
Transitional life stages and ageing
Work and workplace difficulties
Mental health issues
Issues to do with identity
Self esteem
Self harm