Getting the Most Out of Therapy
Starting therapy is a significant step toward personal growth and emotional well-being.
To ensure you maximise the benefits of your sessions, here are some practical tips to help you engage fully with your therapist and the therapeutic process.
Find the right therapist
Does the psychologist you are considering have the expertise and experience to address your specific concern? Some therapists are generalist and others are specialists, not all psychologists are well-positioned to treat every concern.
Find the right “fit”
Book a complimentary introductory phone call to see if you connect with the psychologist. If you don’t connect with them, it will be harder to share freely, which, in turn, can hinder your progress. It’s okay to be a bit uncomfortable, but simply, you need to like the person you’ll be working with.
Find the right goal
Look, it’s okay if you just feel bad but aren’t sure exactly what you want to work on. But one of us needs to have some direction. Otherwise, we are packing for a trip without knowing a destination.
If you’re not sure, it’s totally reasonable to ask your psychologist questions. Some meaningful questions to ask might be: what do you think our goal is? What is your clinical plan for me? Are the sessions going as you expected? How long might it take before I start to feel better?
Be open and forthcoming
This means sharing about your life experiences, thoughts, feelings and ideas. You have a captive audience of somebody solely committed to you, I invite you to use it!
The more you share with your psychologist, the more likely they will be able to spot areas that you get stuck or develop helpful insights for you.
Practice in between sessions
Therapy sessions are like training camp, but the real benefits come from playing the game. Practicing in between sessions is an important part of improving your mental health and sustaining your gains.
Expect setbacks
It would be amazing to not have regressions or disappointments. Progress however is not always a steady improvement. If you’re feeling defeated or discouraged, it can be tempting to throw in the towel.
Instead, I invite you to come back into session and use the emotion as a vehicle for change. Setbacks happen, but they don't have to be defining or the end of the story.
Provide feedback
What worked well, what felt good, what did you really dislike… maybe even hate. There is no single way to make improvements so the process can be adjusted to meet your needs. Your psychologist or therapist will (or should!) care about what is and isn’t working for you and be ready to pivot and adjust.
I wish you well in your mental health journey and hope to see you soon, whether it is in session with me, in the community or around town. If you have any questions about therapy or would like a complimentary consultation, please reach out!