Megan Bayles Bartley is a mental health and relationship expert. Over the last twenty years, she has honed her unique skills as a therapist and now shares her knowledge with you in Season 2 of her podcast – Shifting Our Shit.

 

In Episode 1, Part 2, Megan talks about her own experience with therapy over the last 30-plus year starting when she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue at 16 years old and was told “it’s all in your head!”

 

About Megan.

Therapy provides support and growth. It is a valuable tool that can help individuals navigate through life’s challenges, gain insight into themselves, and develop the necessary skills to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.

 

In this episode, Megan Bayless-Bartley shares her personal experience with therapy. She first sought therapy at the age of 16 when she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue. Medical professionals believed her condition was a psychosomatic response to stress, and therapy was recommended to help her identify and manage the underlying stressors.

 

Megan describes herself as a firstborn, type A personality, and a high empath. She also admits to being a deep thinker and running on the anxious side. She had a tendency towards perfectionism and exhibited signs of OCD, such as vacuuming her bedroom carpet with precision. These characteristics, combined with certain family dynamics, contributed to her need for therapy.

 

At the age of 16, Megan started therapy with a marriage and family therapist named Joy. This experience provided her with a trusted adult who offered undivided attention and a safe space to explore her thoughts and emotions. Megan emphasizes the importance of having a therapist who didn’t judge her or make her feel crazy or wrong. This support allowed her to be herself and work through her difficulties.

 

Megan continued therapy on and off throughout her life. In her 20s, she sought therapy again when she was struggling to navigate a romantic relationship with someone dealing with addiction. Therapy provided her with guidance and coping mechanisms during this challenging time.

 

When Megan started her master’s program in marriage and family therapy, she found it beneficial to seek therapy herself. She needed help managing her anxiety about her future and the unknowns that lay ahead. This experience highlighted the importance of therapists seeking therapy for their own well-being and growth.

 

Therapy provides support by offering a non-judgmental space for individuals to express themselves and explore their thoughts and emotions. It allows them to gain insight into their own behaviors, patterns, and underlying issues. Through therapy, individuals can develop coping strategies, improve their communication skills, and learn to navigate relationships more effectively.

 

Therapy also promotes personal growth. It helps individuals identify and challenge negative beliefs and thought patterns that may be holding them back. It encourages self-reflection and self-awareness, enabling individuals to make positive changes in their lives. Therapy provides the tools and resources necessary for individuals to overcome obstacles, improve their mental health, and achieve their goals.

 

Anxiety in relationships requires therapy.

Anxiety in relationships is a common issue that many individuals face. It can manifest in various ways, from controlling behavior to emotional vulnerability. However, therapy has proven to be a valuable resource in addressing and managing anxiety within relationships. Megan shares her personal experiences with anxiety in her own relationship and how therapy played a crucial role in her journey.

 

Megan recalls meeting her now-husband during a time of high anxiety in her life. Recognizing the importance of compatibility and open communication, she took the initiative to involve him in therapy sessions. This decision highlights the significance of therapy in addressing relationship concerns and fostering understanding between partners. By engaging in a couple’s assessment, they were able to explore topics that they may not have discussed otherwise. This assessment served as a foundation for their relationship and allowed them to navigate potential challenges more effectively.

 

Premarital counseling further exemplifies the role of therapy in addressing anxiety within relationships. Megan wanted to ensure that her marriage did not replicate the negative aspects of her parents’ relationship. By seeking outside help, she and her husband were able to address their concerns and establish a healthier foundation for their marriage. Premarital therapy provided them with the necessary tools to communicate openly and honestly, setting them up for success in their relationship.

 

Therapy also played a crucial role in Megan’s personal journey with anxiety. She acknowledges the challenges of living with someone and knowing that it is a long-term commitment. The anxiety she experienced in this context led her to seek therapy once again. By engaging in couples therapy, Megan was able to explore the root causes of her anxiety and work towards healing and growth. Through therapy, she learned to trust her partner emotionally and address the emotional hurts from her past. This vulnerability and growth within the relationship were vital in managing her anxiety and fostering a healthier dynamic.

 

Furthermore, Megan’s decision to seek therapy was influenced by her desire to prevent her anxiety from affecting her children. Recognizing the potential impact of her anxiety on her children, she made it a priority to get her anxiety under control. Therapy provided her with the necessary tools and strategies to manage her anxiety and prevent it from negatively impacting her children. This demonstrates the proactive approach therapy offers in addressing anxiety within relationships and its potential ripple effects on family dynamics.

 

Therapy is important for growth.

Therapy is important for growth. It provides individuals with the necessary support, guidance, and tools to navigate life’s challenges and achieve personal development. Megan shares her own experience in this episode with therapy and how it has been instrumental in her growth and progress.

 

• Megan emphasizes the importance of being emotionally available to her children and putting her anxiety into perspective. She recognizes that how she shows up with her kids matters and that she needs to be in an emotionally open and vulnerable space. Therapy has helped her own her imperfections, acknowledge when she is wrong, and repair any parenting mistakes. By modeling this behavior for her children, she teaches them the importance of accountability, growth, and repair in relationships.

 

Throughout her life, Megan has sought therapy during various periods of difficulty and transition. She attended group therapy with new moms to discuss the challenges of motherhood. When her father passed away, therapy provided her with the necessary support to navigate grief and the changes it brought to her family dynamics. Megan’s experience showcases how therapy can be a valuable resource during times of loss and change.

 

• Furthermore, Megan highlights that therapy does not always have to be traditional talk therapy. There are other modalities such as energy healing and Reiki work to release tension and promote healing in the body. This shows that therapy can take many forms and individuals can find what works best for them in their own healing journey.

 

• Megan also emphasizes the importance of finding a therapist or practitioner that one trusts and feels comfortable with. She describes her current therapist as a coach and energy healer who provides her with the support and guidance she needs at this stage of her life. This highlights the importance of finding a therapeutic relationship that aligns with one’s specific needs and goals.

 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SHIFTING OUR SH!T PODCAST