FAQ Could therapy help me? Questions by members with answers by 7cups Online Therapists

Member: My problem is that how to deal with emotions, exam fear and create a nice study environment?

Therapist Parvathy reply:

Studying effectively is the best way to reduce exam anxiety. Preparing all the study materials beforehand, planning your syllabus, and scheduling your study sessions well are vital steps. 50 minutes long study session with 5-10 minute breaks would be good. It is important to have a healthy lifestyle with good sleep, exercise, and nutritious food to ensure adequate physical health. Clearing your doubts and speaking to your teacher about any concern you may have can also lower your anxiety. Try to identify if you have negative irrational thoughts-notice if you are linking your self-worth to the outcome of this test, are you catastrophizing the outcome of your test? Counter your negative thoughts with positive encouraging statements - 'i will do my best', 'it is going to be ok', or 'I can do this'. Practicing techniques to manage your anxiety such as breathing exercises, meditation, etc can help.

For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: I am trying to get rid of the self destructive behaviour but keep relapsing. Could you tell me what's the best way to get rid of it?

Therapist Parvathy reply:

Self-destructive behaviors provide relief or even pleasure in the short-term which is why they can be very difficult to quit. Self-destructive behaviors could be stemming from underlying mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. It is important to understand what it is that is causing these behaviors and treat them accordingly. Self-destructive behaviors could be a coping mechanism for you. Psychotherapy can help you to explore the reason behind them and equip you with healthier coping mechanisms to deal with stressors. Meanwhile, identifying your triggers and preparing ahead of time for the stressful event can help control the behavior.

For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: How to let go of someone or at least the memories?

Therapist Parvathy reply:

The emotional charge of memory comes from the stories we tell ourselves about the experience. The facts cannot be changed but the emotional charge can be reduced by facing the feelings associated with it. Visual imagery or journaling about experiences can help you to reflect and process them better. It is, however, very important to go through the process of grieving. It is completely natural and healthy. Everyone copes in different ways and for different amounts of time. So, being gentle to yourself and giving yourself love and care is very important. Letting go of someone would not mean forgetting about the person, it is more about making peace with the loss. Loss can be very painful and it can leave voids within you. Time will help you normalize this void and accept it as a part of your life.

For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: What might be causing brain fog? How to cope with it and overcome it ?

Therapist Parvathy reply:

Brain fog would make it difficult to think clearly. You may feel spaced out or unfocused. You may even find that your memory is faulty or your attention is impaired. You might even be struggling to hold on to a thought. Brain fog can be the result of an underlying mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. It can also happen as a result of trauma. Getting physically active, practicing mindfulness and meditation, and having a healthy lifestyle can help manage the stressors of daily life. Speaking to a mental health professional can help treat any underlying mental health condition.

For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: Therapists are said to respond once or twice a day. How long are these messages/conversations then? The description makes it seem long drawn out and not as helpful.

Therapist Parvathy reply:

7cups is a message-based platform for psychotherapy. You are free to message your therapist anytime you want to and as often as you would like. The therapists will read your messages and respond once or twice a day from Monday to Friday. If your therapist is online, you can also engage in live chat. The number and size of the messages may vary depending on the conversation. The platform is a safe space to discuss what is going on in your mind. The messages will be completely confidential.

For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: How do I overcome and address emotional abuse from my parents?

Therapist Parvathy reply:

It is possible to heal from the damage caused by childhood abuse. Healing would mean taking control of your life and being the author of your own choices. It is important to take your time to heal because you would have a lot of emotions to process. Being patient and kind with yourself is extremely necessary. Surround yourself with people who love and value you. Let yourself receive the love that you deserve. As an adult, you will be able to understand and process what has happened to you. However, this may involve confronting a lot of painful memories. A psychotherapist can help you to process what happened and provide you with skills to cope with the trauma.

For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: i am fighting with masturbation addiction for many years but somehow i again commit this act. please help me.

Therapist Parvathy reply:

Masturbation is a very normal part of the sexual experience. I have to point out that engaging in maturation often isn't the same as maturation addiction. If you find that masturbation is leading to negative emotions or is interfering with your daily functioning, you would need to check if it is becoming a compulsive habit. If you are using masturbation as a way to cope with stressful issues instead of facing them head-on, it can be a cause of concern. It is very important to seek help from a mental health professional to process your feelings, figure out the root cause of your compulsive behavior, and find a way to stop or reduce the behavior. A psychotherapist can help you to work through your negative feelings and help you learn behaviour modification strategies to control masturbation.

For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: How to overcome the fear for failure. I have heard about just jump in.. But I end up rather procrastinating.

Therapist Parvathy reply:

Exposure can be an effective technique to conquer your fears. But exposure can be very anxiety-provoking. The discomfort of anxiety is probably making you procrastinate. More the anxiety we feel about failing the reach our goals, the less likely we are to take action toward achieving them. Gradual exposure should be done under the supervision of a therapist who can help you cope with the anxiety that may develop. It could be useful to explore what failure means to you. Most of us see failure as something wrong or embarrassing. It brings emotions of shame and guilt. However, it is very human to make mistakes or fail. Failure should be thought of as an opportunity to learn. Practicing self-acceptance, understanding your strengths and knowing your limitations, and setting realistic time-based goals can help motivate you to move towards your goals.

For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

hjjj

Is it possible for there to be someone that can not be helped? Maybe because of too much loss and trauma. I read that the earlier in life the trauma started, the harder it is for therapy to be successful. I personally have had quite a few therapists, grief centers and even sexual trauma centers tell me they couldn’t treat me. They weren’t equipped to handle my problems.. So far, the ones who did say they would help, have all quit seeing me after 4-6 months. One quit seeing me in a voicemail . My current one won’t terminate me but doesn’t show up for 80-90% of our twice a week preset appointments. It seems like she wants me to quit seeing her. I guess it really doesn’t matter. She has not been helpful at all when she does show up for 20-30 minutes. I won’t try again. I am curious if this is unusual or fairly common.