Money-talk: Why Financial Wellness Should Be Part of Your General Therapy Sessions
In the world of therapy, we often focus on the most pressing issues at hand—anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and more. However, one crucial aspect of mental health that is frequently overlooked is financial wellness. As a therapist who specializes in integrating financial wellness into traditional therapy services, I believe it’s time we start addressing money matters more openly in our sessions.
Why Financial Wellness Matters in Therapy
Financial stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Whether it's struggling with debt, living paycheck to paycheck, or the pressures of maintaining a certain lifestyle, money problems have a way of affecting every aspect of our lives. Yet, many people feel uncomfortable discussing their finances, even in therapy, where they should feel free to explore all areas of their well-being.
Ignoring financial stressors can lead to a range of mental health issues, from chronic anxiety to low self-esteem. Money touches nearly every aspect of our lives—from where we live, to what we eat, to how we spend our free time. If we're not addressing these underlying stressors, we’re missing a significant part of the mental health puzzle.
Breaking the Stigma: Why Money-Talk is Necessary
Talking about money is still a taboo subject for many. There’s a deep-seated stigma around discussing personal finances, often rooted in feelings of shame or inadequacy. However, avoiding the topic doesn’t make the problems go away—in fact, it often exacerbates them.
Integrating financial wellness into therapy helps to break this stigma. By openly discussing financial concerns, we can work through the emotions tied to them—guilt, fear, embarrassment—and develop healthier relationships with money. It’s not just about budgeting or managing debt; it’s about understanding how money impacts your mental and emotional health, and learning to navigate those challenges in a constructive way.
How Financial Wellness Can Enhance Traditional Therapy
When we bring financial wellness into therapy, we create a more holistic approach to mental health. For example, if a client is struggling with anxiety, part of the solution might involve exploring their financial situation. Are they worried about paying bills? Is debt overwhelming them? Addressing these concerns can lead to a reduction in anxiety and a better overall outcome in therapy.
In couples therapy, financial issues are often at the heart of many conflicts. By discussing money openly and honestly, couples can improve their communication, set realistic financial goals, and strengthen their relationship.
For individuals, understanding their financial behaviors and the emotions driving them can be empowering. Whether it’s overspending, underspending, or avoiding finances altogether, these behaviors often have deeper roots. Unpacking these issues in therapy can lead to lasting change and improved financial habits.
Practical Steps to Integrate Financial Wellness into Therapy
Normalize Money-Talk: Start by acknowledging that financial concerns are a common and valid topic in therapy. Create a safe space for clients to discuss their financial stressors without fear of judgment.
Assess Financial Stress: Incorporate questions about finances into your initial assessments. Understanding a client’s financial situation can provide valuable insights into their overall well-being.
Collaborate on Financial Goals: Work with clients to set realistic and achievable financial goals. This might involve budgeting, debt management, or simply reducing financial anxiety through mindfulness practices.
Explore Emotional Connections: Help clients explore the emotional and psychological roots of their financial behaviors. This can lead to a deeper understanding of their relationship with money and promote healthier financial habits.
Refer When Necessary: Recognize when a client’s financial issues require expertise beyond the scope of therapy. Partnering with financial advisors or planners can provide clients with the comprehensive support they need.
Financial wellness is an essential component of overall mental health, and it’s time we start treating it as such in therapy. By integrating money-talk into our sessions, we can help clients reduce financial stress, improve their emotional well-being, and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. As a therapist, my goal is to support my clients in every aspect of their lives—including their financial wellness. After all, mental health and financial health are deeply interconnected, and addressing both leads to more comprehensive and effective therapy.
So let’s start the conversation because financial wellness deserves a place in the therapy room.
