One of the best things millennials can do is go to therapy: Dr

Millennials need to treat themselves — to therapy, says a young doctor.

“There’s a lot you’re going through right now,” Dr. Terry Simpson, a board-certified general surgeon based in California, to his millennial TikTok followers last week.

“You are making career choices. You’re thinking about starting a family,” Simpson continued. “Maybe you have a family on the way, maybe you’re getting out of a relationship. All of those things are things that are great to have help with.”

Fifty-five percent of millennials and Gen Zers report having been in therapy, according to a December 2023 survey of 1,099 people. Anxiety, depression, stress, desire for personal growth, and trauma were the top reasons respondents cited for seeking a mental health professional.

Simpson, who likes to give generational advice, says therapy is “one of the best things” millennials can do.

@drterrysimpson

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Born between 1981 and 1997, millennials have been called the “unluckiest generation” because they battled the Great Recession just as many of them entered the workforce, and they’re still struggling with the student debt crisis, skyrocketing inflation and growth of housing costs.

“A lot of people could use some help,” Simpson reasoned. “You know what? Sometimes your best friend, wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, mother, father, sister, brother are not the best person to talk to about your dreams, your ambitions, your problems.

He cheekily added: “Find someone who works well with you and you realize the best thing about it is that you get to talk about your favorite subject – you – and you have someone who will always be by your side and help you.”

There are many types of mental health professionals, including social workers, family therapists, and psychiatrists, who can diagnose and treat mental illness.

NewYork-Presbyterian has tips for finding a counselor, including how to make your first appointment.

How to schedule a therapy appointment

• Ask to speak to the therapist or counselor so you can describe your problem and see if they have experience with it.
• Find out how many people have helped with this issue and get their general views on the topic.
• Understand how long counseling can take.
• Ask other questions that may make you more comfortable participating in a session.