It’s common to wonder whether your struggles are “serious enough” to seek professional help. Questions like, “Am I overreacting?” or “Do I really need a therapist?” often crop up when individuals are dealing with emotional or mental challenges. Self-reflection is important, and it’s also helpful to understand the situations where therapy can make a meaningful difference in your life. Of course, here’s some great news: you don’t need to be certain about needing to go to therapy. You can try therapy and see if it’s helpful to you . . . and it may surprise you in really fantastic ways. And here’s another piece of great news: if you are, in fact, “overreacting,” therapy can help you figure out why that is and how to respond differently in the future.

Life can be challenging, and everyone goes through ups and downs. But how do you know when it’s time to seek professional help? Therapy is not just for moments of crisis—it can be a valuable tool for self-discovery, growth, and emotional well-being. Below are some signs and situations that might indicate you could benefit from therapy.