How to Know If It’s Time to Start Therapy This Fall
Every September, I find myself reflecting more than usual. The change in season has a way of making me pause and ask where I am, what I need, and how I want to move forward. Many of my clients share that they feel something similar this time of year. The slower pace of summer gives way to structure and routine, which can highlight both the areas of life that feel steady and the ones that feel more unsettled. It is often in these moments of transition that people begin to wonder if therapy might help.
Therapy is not only for moments of crisis. In fact, it often works best when you start before symptoms feel overwhelming. The fall can be a natural time to get support in place because the colder months and holiday season often bring new challenges. I regularly see a dip in my clients’ mental health later in the year, especially around food, body image, and the pressure that can come with family and social gatherings. Reaching out now can give you space to build skills, strengthen your sense of self, and feel more prepared before those stressors arrive.
So how do you know if this is the right moment to begin? While everyone’s journey is different, there are a few common experiences that can signal it may be time to consider therapy.
You feel stuck in repeating patterns
Maybe you notice the same arguments coming up in your relationships, or the same thoughts and worries circling in your mind. Even when you try to change things, it can feel like you end up back in the same spot. Therapy offers tools to notice these cycles and gently shift them so you are not always caught in the same loop.
Anxiety or stress feels heavier than usual
The transition into fall can highlight stress around work, school, or personal responsibilities. If you feel a constant hum of anxiety that is hard to shake, therapy can help you understand what is fueling that tension and offer ways to feel more grounded.
You struggle with self-worth or self-criticism
If your inner voice is often harsh or you find yourself questioning whether you are “enough,” therapy can be a place to soften that criticism and build a more supportive relationship with yourself.
You want a space just for you
Sometimes the clearest sign it is time for therapy is a quiet desire for a space where you can speak freely and be heard. Therapy is not only about problems, it is about creating room for your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
If any of this resonates with you, I would be glad to support you. I work best with men and LGBTQ+ clients who feel weighed down by patterns they cannot seem to shake on their own. Many of the people I see are thoughtful and motivated, yet also hard on themselves. They may be struggling with body image and eating, identity and self-worth, anxiety, perfectionism, or long-standing family-of-origin concerns.
My approach is relational and integrative, rooted in psychodynamic therapy but drawing from other methods when they are helpful. The goal is not just to reduce symptoms, but to create lasting change by exploring the deeper layers of what keeps you feeling stuck.
Ready to get started? Click here to request a free consultation.
