Is (the cost of) Therapy Worth it?
We are owed treatment for every neurosis handed down. Pushed down our throats without consent. We are owed mental well-being and self understanding. This investment in our minds is a matter of public health, human rights, and we are worth it. We have never been free in that we have never been allowed to define freedom for ourselves. We have never been fearless, in that we have always understood ourselves as a thing to fear. When we love ourselves, it’s not a predisposition, it’s a revolution.
— Therapy as Reparations, Morgan Parker
Mental health therapy is an undervalued and underpaid profession. Society is conditioned to believe healers are expected to help others at an expense to themselves. This narrative seems to be routed in the way capitalism has managed the mental health infrastructure where insurance companies reimburse mental health professionals less than MDs for treating the same or similar presenting problems. Additionally, addressing non physical symptoms may deem mental health as “invisible” and therefore less tangible to a client and the systems in place. Treatment timelines are not as defined in mental health as they are for physical ailments. Yet, reenactment of therapy sessions are often seen in pop culture, movies, and TV - which speaks to the intrigue and wonder of the [potentially taboo] subject matter in a therapy session.
Even though mental health stigma is decreasing with each Black generation — understandably, the Black community [we/our henceforth] carry stigma and shame surrounding mental health and an overall distrust of the medical system due to the historical trauma of being experimented on, overmedicated, overdiagnosed, pathologized, and overpoliced. In comparison to non Black individuals, this causes a decreased prioritizing of our mental health, an amplified under valuing of therapy, the belief or conditioning that we do not need any outside help, or that no one can help us. Businesses such as Chicago Black Therapists and other Black mental health brands / directories demonstrate decolonized ways of healing and accessibility to Black therapists; this is what’s needed for Black folks to feel safe to prioritize mental health and seek out treatment. However, there continues to be a gap between the act of reaching out for services and choosing to invest in mental health care…especially with the world becoming increasingly expensive and dystopian.
When being seen by your ideal therapist, (the cost of) therapy is surely worth it. Here are tangible reasons why mental health therapy is worth the emotional and financial investment:
Validation of Experiences + Healing Racial Trauma: Therapy provides a safe and validating space for Black individuals to explore and process our experiences, including racism, discrimination, and microaggressions. Having a therapist who understands and acknowledges these experiences is life changing. Therapy can help Black individuals heal from the emotional wounds caused by experiences of racism, racial trauma, and systemic oppression. Working with a culturally competent therapist can facilitate healing, resilience, and coping strategies.
Breaking the Stigma: Seeking therapy challenges the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community and promotes open dialogue about emotional well-being. By seeking treatment, individuals can reduce stigma by advocating for mental health awareness.
Addressing Intersectional Identities: Therapy provides a space to explore and integrate intersecting identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status, into one's sense of self. This holistic approach acknowledges the complexity of individuals' experiences and fosters self-acceptance and empowerment.
Investing in Self-Care: Viewing therapy as a worthwhile investment in one's mental and emotional well-being is an act of self-care and self-preservation. Prioritizing mental health can lead to greater overall happiness, fulfillment, and life satisfaction.
Breaking Generational Patterns + Improving Relationships: Seeking therapy can break inter-generational patterns of trauma, stigma, and silence surrounding mental health within Black families and communities. By prioritizing mental health, individuals can model healthy behaviors for future generations. Therapy can help Black individuals navigate interpersonal relationships, address communication challenges, and heal from past traumas that may impact relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners.
Empowerment and Liberation: Engaging in therapy can be an empowering act of self-determination and liberation, reclaiming agency over one's mental health and well-being. By seeking help and investing in therapy, Black individuals can reclaim narrative and assert the right to emotional wellness and wholeness.
Generational Wealth: While money is not the cure for happiness, it is a tool to access the things one wants in life such as freedom and autonomy. There are studies that show one’s net worth and salary improves as one’s mental health improves. Treatment can help individuals manage impulsivity and develop healthier financial habits, leading to greater financial stability over time. As a result, individuals may become better at budgeting, saving, and investing, ultimately improving financial well-being.
Better Physical Health: Mental health and physical health are closely linked with the Black community having more barriers than the rest to achieve optimal and holistic health. Additionally, unresolved mental health issues often reincarnate through somatic symptoms and the physical body. Trauma also disconnects the mind from the body. Therefore, seeking treatment for mental health issues can positively impact physical health outcomes and overall promote healthier lifestyle choices.
Ready to invest in yourself emotionally, mentally, and financially? Book a free consultation to begin psychotherapy with me, or search our Black therapist directory.