Most people recognize that therapy is an important component to achieving and maintaining optimal mental health and happiness. For them, it’s motivation enough to make accessible and convenient virtual counseling a part of their wellness regime. Several other individuals, those with a particularly ambitious nature, wonder where therapy might fit into their aspirations to achieve elite status as an entrepreneur, corporate executive, or even as someone in the creative arts. They may understand that in the climb towards greater income and status, growing feelings of anxiety and stress tend to come along for the ride (more on this below), but they also need to know if investment of their already limited time (in counseling) will pay off, so to speak. As someone among them, you have come online to ask “Will therapy make me successful?” and have arrived here at Kindbridge Behavioral Health.
As America’s fastest growing virtual counseling platform we can answer in the affirmative. Or at least for those who show active involvement, commitment, and emotional connection to the therapeutic process. Given that you’re an ambitious individual we can assume that you’re indeed ready to engage accordingly. Now let’s have a look at how doing so can lead not just to emotional and mental wellbeing, but great achievement in any endeavor.
“I know I’m fortunate to live an extraordinary life, and that most people would assume my business success, and the wealth that comes with it, have brought me happiness. But they haven’t; in fact it’s the reverse. I am successful, wealthy and connected because I am happy.” (Richard Branson)
Overview of How Engaging in Therapy Can Yield a Financial Return on Investment by Opening Opportunity for Success
What Studies Say
Let’s first look to the data by referencing recent studies.
In a first-of-it’s kind study (view here) researchers ran an empirical analysis of the effects of psychotherapy on individual productivity and subsequent changes in income. The decade+ study uncovered that notable increases in income were absolutely evident among individuals who engaged in psychotherapy, although there were gender discrepancies. Of further interest, is that the study found that therapy was a predictor of higher income for those who struggled with elevated levels of stress (and other mental health issues) which is logical given that chronic stress often accompanies positions of greater responsibility.
“In the FE analyses we concentrate on individuals who suffer from mental health issues and find that consulting a psychotherapist has a positive impact on future income. Moreover, the FE estimates show that even though women are more likely to consult a psychotherapist, they receive a lower percentage increase in income than men. While men can expect a 12.4% increase in income, women’s expected increase in income is 8.1%.” (Will a Shrink Make You Richer?)
A following study (2010) on this topic was conducted by Shawn Achor, a Harvard-trained expert in positive psychology and the connection between happiness and success. Achor followed 272 employees for 18 months, and found that a higher initial level of positive emotion was associated with more favorable outcomes over time, specifically better work achievement, higher supervisor evaluations, and higher income.
In another more recent empirical study, researchers observed the effect of an individual’s happiness on their income. The motivation was steeped in the fact that for generations, researchers have extensively studied whether greater wealth causes greater happiness (the age old question) whereas there were no empirical studies that examined the reverse causation of greater happiness causing greater wealth. Happiness is an excellent metric to consider, as research shows that therapy is not just effective at increasing happiness, it is 32 times more cost effective at increasing happiness than money (view data). So what did this study find? It found that not only is increased happiness associated with higher levels of income, but increased self esteem is too. Through treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), counseling leads to higher self-esteem by helping individuals identify and challenge negative self-perceptions in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
“The most significant result of this study was finding that self esteem is the most accurate predictor of income […] Increasing one’s level of self-esteem then, is important not only for psychological health, but also for financial well-being. This study’s major finding that having higher self-esteem, and thus more happiness, leads to greater income is consistent with the newer happiness research […] Data abounds showing that happier workers have higher levels of productivity, produce higher sales, perform better in leadership positions, and receive higher performance ratings and higher pay.” (Do Happier People Make More Money?)
Therapy Equals More Productivity
Measurement of positive mental health’s impact on productivity and how it relates to income was included in the research referenced above. However, we wanted to expand on this a bit further. Numerous studies confirm that poor mental health, mainly depression and anxiety, is associated with lost productivity. By making therapy a part of your life, and fully engaging with it, you will experience improved mental health and as a result (all else equal) will experience increased productivity. As a measure of efficiency, greater productivity means accomplishing more with less time and/or fewer resources. For the individual (yourself included), this can lead to increased success by boosting income earning potential and by providing a competitive advantage, be it over other businesses or individuals who are vying for the same elevated position/s that you are reaching for.
Therapy Makes Better Business Leaders
You may already be near, or have achieved, some successes in the corporate world. As an executive or soon-to-be executive, you must be able to manage your mental health. This is critical as research confirms that high-level executives exhibit higher rates of the following mental health issues:
| Anxiety | Burnout |
| Chronic Stress | Depression |
Therapist-provided treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (among other treatments) can help prevent and address burnout, anxiety, stress, and depression. CBT has demonstrated both short-term and long-term positive effects for executive clients, and can be effectively administered via virtual private one-on-one sessions or group counseling. View more on the mental health issues that high-level executives struggle with and how therapy helps, right here. Click the image below to access more on executive counseling services:
Therapy Clears the Mind for Creativity + Innovation
Creativity and innovation are factors in success achievement, be it in business, the tech-sector, or in the arts. Problem-solving is crucial for innovation because it fosters creativity, enables adaptation to change, and provides a structured way to develop new ideas and solutions. Effective problem-solving allows the individual to move beyond traditional methods, identify opportunities, and create new things (products, services, artistic installations, etc.) that drive growth and lead to success. Studies show that therapy, particularly Problem-Solving Therapy (PST), leads to better problem-solving skills and improved outcomes for mental health conditions.
Therapy Cuts Costly Habits
Lastly, we look to a number of unhealthy coping mechanisms that people who struggle with anxiety, stress, depression and other issues turn to. These activities can become habits, and when habitual, they may not only compromise mental health even further, they can both indirectly and directly lead to debt which is contrary to financial health and all other success metrics.
Examples of unhealthy coping mechanisms that you may have turned to in the past and present include the following:
Substance Use: A wide body of research confirms that illicit drug and alcohol abuse/overuse is associated with damage to credit scores, bankruptcy filings, and foreclosure proceedings, contributing to a cycle of financial instability.
Unhealthy Gambling: Recent statistics (view here) on habitual gambling and problem gambling indicate that about 20% of sports bettors allocate a quarter of their paycheck to gambling, that the same proportion (20%) are in or have been in debt from gambling, and that the same value (20%) has also filed for bankruptcy due to gambling.
Unhealthy Gaming: Research confirms (view here) that those who exhibit unhealthy video gaming behavior can face financial problems not just from lost productivity, but from spending beyond financial means on in-game purchases (i.e. loot boxes, etc.).
Unhealthy Pornography Use: Research confirms that those who exhibit problematic use of pornography can face financial problems not just from lost productivity, but also from spending beyond their means on certain platforms. For instance, Reuters recently launched an investigative report which delved into U.S. police files to reveal financial ruin associated with unhealthy use of OnlyFans.
If you struggle with any of the above, issue-specific therapeutic intervention (i.e. problem gambling treatment, etc.) is required to get your life back on track so that you can remain focused on your healthy ambitions.
Therapy for Success…Covered by Insurance
Your return on investment is likely closer than you think. While our proven counseling services are available via a variety of affordable subscription options (view here) you may also benefit from our partnerships with popular insurance providers. Through your private or corporate plan, you may qualify for full or partial coverage and possibly direct billing. Call 1 (877) 426-4258 to let us know which of the following you hold a policy with and we’ll help figure out your coverage.
Ready to Invest in Your Mental Health and Future Success?
CALL +1 (877) 426-4258
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Email help@kindbridge.com
