You have likely read countless self help books, searched numerous sites on the internet and just tried to copy the actions of someone who seems to "have it all together" with no relief. Another way of coping can be to lock "it" in a closet and hope that this time "it" will stay away. But the pain, guilt, shame or terror keeps coming back with "it" stronger than before. You might be asking yourself why therapy is going to be any different.
Therapy can help because adding the perspective of an outside party can help you see your environment and your place in it differently. My guess is that many times you are not even aware of how you are reacting, rather than acting, in response to your environment until it is "too late". This is through no fault of your own, as it is what you were taught, by example, through being told or being led by the hand.
With the help of a therapist, you will be given the opportunity to examine your reactions and the origins of them. This has the potential to empower you to break cycles and patterns of behavior that seemed impossible to change before. The more you understand yourself and allow yourself to move through the feelings that drive the thoughts and behaviors, the more emotional healing you will likely experience from the pain you have been carrying.
My goal as a therapist is to provide you with a safe, non-judgmental and comfortable environment where we can work together to meet your therapeutic goals. I do not see my role as telling you what your goals should be, but rather working with you to shape them and to help you see what it is you can achieve. I recognize that you are the expert on you, I am just the expert in the issues you bring.