Six Things You Want To Do If You Want To Get The Most Out Of Therapy
It can be a little uncomfortable to start therapy, especially if it’s your first time. It was certainly uncomfortable for me to start therapy and I was in the midst of choosing this as a profession!
What can you anticipate? How should you respond to questions from friends and family? How do you tell if the therapist you’re seeing is the proper one and whether they’ll be able to help you? And last but not least, how can you maximize therapeutic counseling?
All of these queries and worries are quite reasonable. Many misunderstandings about therapy and how we take care of our mental health have been propagated by pop media. But do not fret. This blog will outline what a good fit with your therapist should feel like, what to anticipate from therapy, typical treatment errors, and more.
How Therapy Works
It’s normal to experience anxiety before beginning therapy. Working through that emotion with you is a therapist’s responsibility. You will form what therapists refer to as a therapeutic relationship when you and your therapist or clinician are a good fit. Your therapist should make you feel at ease. The more truthful you can be, the more effective counseling will be.
Finding where to begin can be intimidating if you have never seen a therapist before. I have outlined a few tips on how to get the most out of therapy.
Think About What You Want Out Of Therapy
Although it might seem obvious, most therapists will start by asking you this question. Do you wish to work on any general relationship issues? Or do you have a particular family member in mind? Do you desire to experience less anxiety? Or perhaps you experience frequent panic episodes and would like to develop effective coping mechanisms.
Whatever your objective, focusing on it will enable you and your therapist to start working on it. And don’t worry, that objective may alter and develop in the future. It’s merely an excellent place to begin.
Do Your Research On What Type Of Therapist You Want To See
There are many different therapists and therapy approaches. It’s time to choose a therapist once you have a general notion of the forms of therapy that sound appealing to you.
A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or any other kind of therapist is not necessarily preferable to a clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. in counseling. It all depends on the kind of knowledge you’re seeking and whether you feel at ease conversing with that person. The most accurate technique to assess that comfort is to schedule a consultation. The initial call will tell you a lot about a therapist’s interpersonal style, empathy, and warmth. Some great resources to find a therapist are here or give me a call anytime.
Go To Your First Appointment With an Open Mind
The first therapy session might be quite awkward. You probably haven’t experienced a dynamic like the one in the therapeutic relationship before. Consider this a chance to be open-minded. Laying the foundation, getting to know one another, and starting to formulate a plan are the main objectives of this meeting.
If you encounter surprisingly strong emotions, don’t be shocked. Many folks shed tears after their first session simply from feeling relieved to have someone to talk to. Release it! That is the purpose of treatment.
Talk About Your Next Session And Make A Plan
It’s realistic to discuss what to expect for the following session depending on how many therapy sessions you anticipate attending, whether short-term or long-term. There might be particular exercises or assignments your therapist wants you to attempt and report back on.
You can express any questions you may have regarding various treatment options at this time. Also, think about whether this initial session left you hopeful enough to want to schedule another session. Attending consistent weekly sessions is key if you want to see quick progress.
Do The Work
You may believe that what happens in therapy hour stays in therapy hour, but in order for treatment to be effective, you must be working outside of sessions. When the therapy session is over, the work is not over. Whatever you discussed in your last session will be discussed again in the following one. Try to put what you learned in therapy into practice throughout the week. Watch for any emotions that surface as well as any potential new difficulties.
Keeping a journal is the most effective technique to monitor your feelings in between sessions of treatment. You can scribble your ideas in a notebook or even just a personal Google doc or voice note on your phone. You can be sure that your therapist will value the effort you are willing to put forth.
Keep The Dialogue Open
In your first session, you and your therapist can decide whether to establish a specific date for your last appointment or leave it open-ended. It’s crucial to keep in mind that this is a client service. It is completely acceptable to ask questions about your therapy if you ever feel uncomfortable or have any concerns.
Taking these steps will get you ready to get the most out of your session with your therapist. Call today if you are ready to start a new self growth journey. Follow more for more tips!
Recent Comments