Since I’m a therapist, you won’t be surprised I think therapy can be helpful for many people. What you may not know is that I was a client for years before I became a therapist.

I started therapy when I went through a rough patch in my early 20s and returned to it over the years when I hit bumps in the road or felt stuck. Therapy changed my life. I learned about myself and became (I think) a better, stronger, kinder person. Eventually I earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy so I could help others.

So I know from both sides that therapy can be helpful in all sorts of situations, from dealing with serious problems to making ordinary life better.

Note that this article isn’t intended to be a complete list of why someone might need or want therapy.

If your family or close friends think you should get help, it’s probably a good idea to give it a try. If your doctor recommends therapy, take that seriously; they have your best interests at heart. And if your gut is telling you you’d benefit from talking to someone, do.

It’s better to get therapy sooner than risk a bigger problem later.

Really struggling

Some people go through phases where even getting out the door in the morning feels like too much. If you’re so overwhelmed, anxious, or bogged down that it’s hard for you to go to work or school or to do fun things, therapy can help you get your life back.

Therapy is essential for anyone who’s experiencing frequent intrusive thoughts, who’s harming themselves (or considering it), or is in danger of harming others. These are potentially serious situations that require prompt attention, even going to the emergency room.

It’s also wise to get help if you think something you do might be getting out of control.

Maybe people say your partying is out of hand. Maybe you’ve tried to cut back on your drinking, pornography use or gambling but keep getting sucked back in. Maybe you can’t seem to stop yourself from doing things that could get you in legal trouble.

Rather than letting that behavior take over your life, get help, ideally from a therapist and a 12-step program like AA or another support group.

If you’re in the middle of something serious, your perspective may be clouded. If your doctor or people close to you are worried or encouraging you to get help, do.

When there’s conflict

People often come for therapy when there’s a lot of fighting in their relationships. That includes arguing with your spouse all the time or having major disagreements with your siblings, parents, or kids. Our families are important, so it’s upsetting when there’s a lot of tension. Therapy can help you find a more peaceful way to interact.

(By the way: If your partner wants to go for couples therapy, go. I’ve met lots of people who refused marriage counseling for years, then were surprised and devastated when the partner eventually gave up and left them. Even if you think things “aren’t that bad,” your willingness to go shows your partner you care.)

Then there are people who struggle with anger in general. This can look like many things, including constant irritability, road rage, mouthing off to your boss, breaking things or arguments turning into physical fights. This can mess up your life, and it certainly isn’t good for your blood pressure.

With therapy, you can learn to manage and express your anger in ways that make life better for you and those around you.

Life changes are hard

Change is unavoidable. We switch jobs; we move from one stage of life to another; relationships begin and end. Some changes feel all or mostly good.

Some, like the death of someone close to you, can be devastating. Some are mixed.

Any major life change can be upsetting, sometimes in surprising ways. Transitions can bring up old hurts or new feelings.

Even happy transitions, like graduating from college, getting engaged or retiring, can be unsettling. Exploring any of that in therapy helps you learn about yourself, your needs and wants, and how you interact with others.

Sounding board

Maybe nothing major is going on in your life, but you find yourself wanting some guidance. You might feel stuck, frustrated and unsure what you can do about it. You might feel uncertain about a decision you have to make or what you want in life. You might feel lonely.

Maybe you just feel dissatisfied, even if you can’t put your finger on why.

Start by talking about all this with your friends and family. But when that’s not enough to get you unstuck, a therapist can help.

Therapists won’t tell you what you should do. But they’ll help you think about your options, including things you haven’t considered.

They’ll help you sort through mixed emotions and how you get in your own way. They’ll help you notice what drains you and what energizes you, which is key to moving toward a happier life.

If in doubt, go

So you see why I think therapy is so beneficial. It helps with serious problems, challenging relationships and ordinary life. In some cases it saves lives; in others, it simply makes life more joyful.

Please, please get help if you’re in danger or great pain. But even if your problems are small, talking things through with a neutral party can pay big dividends.

Jill Whitney is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Old Lyme who blogs about relationships at KeepTheTalkGoing.com.