Should I Start Therapy…or Not?
- Dr Tiffany Leung
- Jun 14
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 15
— A Psychologist's Honest Guide to Choosing the Right Support For You
“When I first thought about therapy, I didn’t feel like I was ‘bad enough’ to need it. I was just... stuck. Not happy, not falling apart, just stuck. I booked one consultation thinking I’d cancel it. But talking to someone who wasn’t trying to fix me, just help me understand what was going on — that shifted something. It made space for me to be honest with myself, maybe for the first time in years.” Former client, shared with permission
You might have just gone through something intense — a crisis, a breakup, burnout. Suddenly, the usual ways of coping don’t work anymore.
You start searching: therapy directories, friend recommendations, late-night scrolls.
Should I go to therapy?
And just as quickly, doubt kicks in:
Is it worth the cost?
Will it even help?
Am I being overdramatic?
Should I Start Therapy...Or Not?
These thoughts are so common. And they’re not a sign of weakness — they’re a sign that you care about making an intentional, grounded choice.
Psychological therapy can be deeply life-changing, but it is not the only option for emotional growth or mental health support. It’s important to recognise that therapy is a choice, not a mandate. The most empowering place to start is one where you feel informed, not pressured.
In this article, we’ll explore the real questions behind the decision to start therapy —
from the common doubts many people hold, to alternative ways of receiving support if therapy doesn’t feel right just yet.
You’ll also get a sense of how my services as a psychologist can meet you at different stages of your journey, and what to expect if and when you decide to begin.
The Real Questions Behind the Doubt
You may have already had a first call with a therapist—or maybe you’re still hesitating to book one. Either way, a few thoughts might sound familiar:
My problems aren’t that serious. Maybe I’m overreacting.
It’s expensive. What if it doesn’t help?
I don’t want to tell a stranger everything about me.
What if it opens up more emotions than I can handle?
These concerns are all valid. Therapy is not a magic fix, and it does require emotional investment. But it also offers a dedicated space— free of judgment — where your patterns, pains and hopes can be explored with safety and depth.
A therapist is not there to fix your life, but to walk alongside you as you understand it more fully.
When done well, starting therapy can be one of the most important foundations for long-term healing and self-growth.
Want to find more about what is Self-Growth in Therapy?
You are more than welcome to read What Does Self-Growth Look Like in Therapy? A Psychologist’s Guide to Inner Work and Emotional Wellbeing.
Revisiting What Therapy Is For
Therapy is not just about solving problems—it’s a relational process of uncovering, understanding, and integrating the deeper aspects of our emotional lives.
As a psychologist, I see therapy as a space for clarity, healing and growth. It’s a place where we explore the unseen narratives that shape how we think, feel and relate.
Therapy is often most helpful when you’re navigating transitions, identity shifts, long-held patterns, or distress that doesn’t go away on its own.
It’s also a space where culturally informed understanding matters—where your background, values and lived experiences are not just included, but central to the work.
When You Decide Yes: What Happens Next?
Saying yes to therapy doesn’t mean you’ve figured it all out. It simply means you’re willing to begin — to step into a space where you can speak freely, reflect deeply, and start noticing the threads that shape how you think, feel, and relate.
You might begin therapy feeling unsure, stuck, or emotionally overwhelmed. That’s okay. Therapy is not about being “ready”— it’s about creating a space where change becomes possible. With the right support, you may start to experience small, meaningful shifts: more clarity, more self-awareness, more choice in how you live.
A good therapist won’t rush you. They’ll walk alongside you, helping you notice, process, and slowly integrate the patterns and stories that matter. It’s not quick-fix work — but it is supported growth, at your pace.
Starting well matters.
Feeling safe with your therapist, understanding the process, and knowing what kind of therapy suits you — all of these influence your experience. More resources are available in the Essentials to Start Therapy blog series.
What If I’m Not Ready? You Still Deserve Support
Some clients reach out not to start therapy, but simply to think it through.
That’s valid. I offer consultation spaces for exactly this purpose — no pressure, just clarity.
Not everyone needs, or wants, therapy right now. Sometimes you’re in a phase where you just need a place to talk things through, learn strategies, or get a clearer sense of what’s going on.
That’s where other forms of psychological support come in:
Psychological Consultation: One-off or short-term support to gain insight, clarity and options for your situation.
Psychoeducation: Learning about mental health, emotions, relationships, identity and more—offered through resources, workshops or personalised sessions.
Family and Couple Support: Exploring relational patterns, communication, and cultural expectations within a structured, psychologist-led setting.
Coaching & Growth-Based Support: For those focusing on career, identity development, or personal fulfilment. Ideal if you want change, but don’t necessarily need therapy.
Clinical Supervision: For professionals in mental health, social care, or education, seeking reflective space and ethical grounding.
You can learn more about these options on Dr Tiffany Leung's Services Page.
Closing Thoughts: You Deserve Support That Makes Sense for You
You don’t need to be at rock bottom to deserve help. You don’t need to have it all figured out to start exploring. Whether or not you begin therapy now, the act of pausing to ask yourself this question —What kind of support do I need? — is already a meaningful first step.
And if you’re still unsure, that’s okay too. You’re welcome to book a 15-minute consultation to explore what support might feel right for you.
Just a safe space to begin thinking it through, or simply browse resources until something resonates.
Dr Tiffany Leung offers culturally attuned, psychologically grounded services to support your journey — wherever you are.
Why Work With Dr Tiffany Leung?
HCPC-Registered Chartered Psychologist with 13+ years of experience
Trilingual support (English, Cantonese, Mandarin)
Expertise in cultural identity, migration, and cross-border transitions
Offers more than therapy: consultations, coaching, psychoeducation
Trauma-aware, emotionally attuned, and ethically grounded care
Confidentiality Note
All services provided are confidential and follow the ethical standards of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS).
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