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At first glance I was almost disgusted with the simple number of people in therapy. My narrow-minded view said, "Why do these people all need labels and excuses for their behavior?" Out of pure luck, I shared this observation with an older, wiser, and open-minded adult.

"Times have changed," he said. Even that seemed a little trite. As usual when I truly listen to what Dad says and follow his logical trail, I learn. (It is so amazing that after you turn 40 you find out your parents were right more than wrong, go figure.)

In general there are more and different stresses in every day life. Twenty years ago children would never have considered one of their classmates may be shot at school. They worried about what to wear, tests, and bullies. Those worries from twenty years still exist. The layer effect is obvious. We just keep adding layers of stresses. Bullies carry weapons now.

We have technologies that are wonderful, but pose dangers we couldn't have imagined. The Internet gave preditors a whole new hunting ground and victims need help.

People used to have more time to socialize and learn from each other. There wasn't a 40-mile commute. Extended families used to live around the corner and they were helpful. Sometimes they were annoying, but truly helpful. If you needed a babysitter there were people you could count on and trust.

We used to get therapy from our teachers, associates, religious leaders, and friends. We had a social network that helped us deal with the stresses of the times. We learned from those around us. There was a time in neighborhoods when the doors didn't need to be locked.

So the trend is not that there are more people in therapy and working out their problems. The trend is that where the therapy takes place has changed. We now go to professionals. The challenge we face is they don't know who we are so often there is a lot of time just getting to understand who we are.

Medical advances can not be ignored. There are new options that were not available. Medication isn't the answer to every problem, but there are new opportunities and options available to many of us. Insurance programs now cover mental health issues and counseling. It has assisted in making help affordable.

Remember the label doesn't change the behavior or give you an excuse. It gives you a place to start. If you want different results, you have experience different behavior. That was therapy is all about. Changing our behavior or our thoughts to produce different results.

Learn more about this author, Trenna Sue Hiler.
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