Look, we’re not going to sugarcoat this: figuring out if you need therapy is confusing. There’s no neat checklist that says “Yes, call a counsellor now” or “Nope, you’re fine.” But there are some pretty clear signals that talking to someone might help.
You Feel Anxious Most Days
We’re talking about that constant background hum of worry that never really goes away. Not just “Oh no, I have a presentation tomorrow” anxiety, but the kind where you’re lying in bed thinking about whether you remembered to lock your car, even though you’ve checked three times already.
If this sounds familiar and it’s been going on for weeks, not just a few stressful days, it’s worth talking to someone about it.
Your Sleep or Appetite Has Changed
Are you suddenly wide awake at 2 AM scrolling through your phone because your brain won’t shut up? Or maybe you’re sleeping 10 hours and still dragging yourself out of bed like you’re moving through mud.
These changes sneak up on you, but they’re your body’s way of saying “Hey, something’s not right up here.”
Relationships Feel Harder Than Usual
If you’re suddenly irritated by your partner’s breathing, or you’ve been dodging calls from friends, or every conversation feels like work, that might be about you, not them.
Sometimes we pull away when we’re struggling, even from people we care about.
Things You Used to Love Feel Like Chores
Remember when you couldn’t wait to get home and work on that project? If those things now feel overwhelming or pointless, pay attention to that.
This isn’t just being busy or tired. It’s deeper than that.
Your Stress Management Has Gone Sideways
If you’re noticing you’re drinking more wine than usual, working until midnight to avoid going home, or doing other stuff you’re not proud of, that’s a sign.
If your coping strategies are causing more problems than they’re solving, it’s time to learn some better ones.
You've Been Through a Big Change Recently
Death, divorce, job loss, moving, having a baby, getting married—all of these mess with your head more than you’d expect. Even good changes can be surprisingly hard.
Major changes shake up your whole world, even when they’re what you wanted.
You Just Want to Figure Some Stuff Out
Maybe nothing’s dramatically wrong, but you feel stuck. Or confused about what you want. Or like you keep making the same mistakes in relationships or at work.
Sometimes the best time to work on things is before they become big problems.
So Now What?
If a few of these hit home, you’re probably wondering what to actually do about it. Not ready to book an appointment yet?
That’s totally okay. Sometimes it helps to start with some self-reflection first.
We’ve created some free assessment tools like checking your stress levels, sleep quality, or overall well-being. No name or email required, no pressure. Just a way to understand yourself better while you’re figuring things out.
But when you are ready: you don’t need to have everything figured out before you make that first appointment. That’s literally what therapy is for—helping you sort through the mess.
The hardest part is usually just picking up the phone. After that, it gets easier.
You might worry about the cost, or finding time, or what people will think. Those are all normal concerns. But here’s the thing—you probably spend money on your physical health without thinking twice about it. Your mental health deserves the same consideration.
And if cost is a real barrier, don’t let that stop you from reaching out. There are options, including more affordable therapy with supervised interns. That can make getting help possible even on a tight budget.
Getting Help in Mississauga
If you’re local to Mississauga and ready to try this, visit our first appointment page to get started. Cornerstone counsellors work with individuals, couples, families, and teens.
You don’t have to do this alone. And you don’t have to wait until things get worse.
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help before you’re desperate for it.
Look, taking care of your mental health isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. You deserve to feel good, Not just okay, but actually good. If any of this resonated with you, consider it a gentle nudge to reach out.
Explore our evidence-based tools to better understand your mental health and take practical steps toward improvement.
Mental Wellbeing Check-In
A quick self-assessment tool to reflect on your emotional and mental state, helping you track your overall well-being.
No email or personal information required
Stress or Burnout Level Calculator
A tool that evaluates your stress levels and potential burnout risk based on your symptoms and lifestyle factors.
No email or personal information required
Sleep Quality or Fatigue Calculator
A self-assessment that measures your sleep patterns and energy levels to determine your sleep quality and fatigue risk.
No email or personal information required
Self-Care Planner
A structured guide to help you schedule and prioritize self-care activities for better mental and physical health.
No email or personal information required
