Someone told me I might need therapy, do I?
So someone looked at your life and said: "Have you considered therapy?"
You might feel confused, a bit defensive and doubting your own judgement. Maybe it was your partner after yet another argument that went nowhere. Your mum during a particularly honest phone call. A friend who's been watching you struggle. Or your manager during what was supposed to be a routine check-in.
Every time a new client starts online therapy UK with me, I ask what brought you here and often, someone else planted that first seed.
Here's the straight truth: when someone suggests therapy for adults, they're usually seeing something you can't. Or won't. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
But before we go further, lets also keep in mind a little reminder from William Gibson: “Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.”
What does it mean when someone suggests therapy?
Let's get one thing clear: being gently told you might benefit from therapy isn't an insult.
Think about it this way: if someone suggested you see a doctor because you'd been coughing for weeks, you wouldn't take it as a personal attack, would you? In the same way, therapy for adults is healthcare for your emotional and mental wellbeing.
That said, I've also seen people use therapy suggestions as weapons. "You need help!" shouted during an argument isn't the same as a gentle, "I'm worried about you—have you thought about talking to someone?". Context and delivery matter.
What thoughts pop up when you consider therapy?
You may find yourself having thoughts like:
"But I handle my problems fine on my own."
"Therapy is for people who can't cope."
"I don't have time for this."
"It's too expensive."
"I am fine, nothing's really that wrong with me."
These thoughts are completely normal. But they may also be the very thoughts that keep you stuck in patterns that aren't serving you.
Here's what I've learned in my holistic therapy practice: the people who benefit from therapy are often the ones who think they don't need it. Why? Because you're so used to pushing through, managing and "being fine" that you've lost touch with what actually feeling good looks like.
How do you know if you need therapy?
Let me paint you some pictures:
Your sleep has gone rogue. You're either sleeping way too much and still feeling exhausted or lying awake at 3am with your brain running a marathon of worries.
Your eating habits have shifted too - maybe you're stress-eating or have completely lost your appetite.
Your emotions feel like they're on a rollercoaster. One minute you're fine, the next you're crying, then you're unreasonably annoyed at the barista at the Starbucks. Or it's the opposite—you feel nothing much at all, like you're watching your life through glass.
You've lost interest in things you used to enjoy. That hobby you loved? Can't be bothered. Social plans? You keep cancelling. Even your favourite Netflix show feels like effort.
Your relationships are taking strain. You're snapping at people more easily, withdrawing from friends or having the same arguments over and over with your partner. You may feel short-tempered and then guilty for being unfair with no strong reason.
You're stuck in unhelpful patterns. Maybe you're drinking more than usual, scrolling social media for hours or finding other ways to avoid dealing with whatever's going on.
What is body-mind integration in holistic therapy?
As Bessel van der Kolk put it: your body holds the score. While you're busy telling everyone (including yourself) that you're fine, your body might be screaming the opposite.
Constant headaches. Tight shoulders. Stomach issues with no clear cause. Feeling tired despite sleeping. Getting sick more often than usual. These aren't just random occurrences - they're often your body's way of processing stress and emotions you're not dealing with consciously.
This is where body-mind integration becomes crucial. Traditional talk therapy is brilliant but holistic therapy recognises that you're not just a walking brain. You're a whole person—mind, body, emotions and spirit all interconnected. That's why trauma therapy often includes the body, not just the story.
When I work with clients, I don't just talk about problems. I pay attention to what your body is telling me. How does anxiety show up in your chest? Where do you feel that anger? What happens in your stomach when you talk about that difficult relationship?
How do you decide if online therapy is right for you?
Nobody can make this choice for you. But you can make an informed decision by asking yourself some honest questions:
What's the worst that could happen if you tried therapy? You spend an hour talking to a trained professional who's literally paid to help you feel better. The risk is pretty minimal.
What's the cost of not trying? Keep doing what you're doing, and you'll keep getting what you're getting. Is that really what you want for the next year of your life?
What happens during holistic online therapy?
If you're thinking "maybe, but..." then online therapy might be exactly what you need. No waiting rooms. No running into someone you know. No commuting across town—whether you're in London or anywhere in the UK.
What actually happens? You talk, I listen. I then guide you to tune into your body so you can work with what's happening under the surface. That's body-mind integration in action. Maybe you want tools for anxiety. Maybe you want to stop the arguments. Maybe you want to feel like yourself again. I meet you where you are.
You can have your session in your most comfortable space, wearing whatever makes you feel good (yes, even pyjama bottoms - I won't judge). There's something powerful about healing in your own environment.
Prefer another language? I offer English and Russian therapy services online, so you can express yourself in the way that feels most natural.
Are you "not ready" for therapy?
Think about it like this: you don't wait until you're completely exhausted to get a good night's sleep. You don't wait until you're starving. Why would you wait until you're completely overwhelmed to get emotional support?
Therapy works best when you're functioning but struggling - when you're managing but not thriving. When someone suggests you might benefit from therapy, they're probably seeing that gap between where you are and where you could be.
Your Next Step (If You're Ready)
Maybe that person was right. Maybe therapy could help you feel more like yourself again.
The beautiful thing about holistic therapy is that it meets you exactly where you are. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, relationship struggles, work stress, past experiences that still sting or just feeling stuck in life, there's no problem too small or too big.
If you're curious about what online therapy could look like for you, start small. Book a consultation. Ask questions. See if it feels like the right fit. Don't worry - show up as you are.
And remember: choosing therapy is admitting you deserve to feel better. The person who suggested therapy? They might have given you the push you needed to change your life. Sometimes the best gifts come wrapped in uncomfortable conversations.
Ready to explore what therapy could offer you? Visit my website It's OK Therapy to learn more about my body-mind integration approach and my English and Russian therapy services. Get in touch for an honest, no-pressure chat or leave a comment to share your experience.
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