It is said we fear the unknown, which is why many people shy away from receiving therapy. It can be intimidating walking into your therapist’s office for the very first time, not knowing what to expect.
On the flip side, some people assume they know everything about therapy and are then quite surprised when receiving treatment.
The thing is, though therapy is not as stigmatized as it once was, it is still not talked about in most social circles. And so many people have the wrong ideas about it. If you’ve been considering seeking help from a mental health professional, you most likely have some questions as well.
With that in mind, here is what no one tells you about therapy – but should!
It’s Not Like on TV
Pop culture would have you believe the minute you step foot into a therapist’s office, he or she will have you looking at Rorschach tests and talking about your dreams within minutes.
While these approaches can be used in therapy, they more than often are not. Dream interpretation can come up, but typically only if the client wants to discuss an interesting or disturbing dream they had.
Also, many people think the entire session is devoted to discussing your early childhood years and the effect your parents have had on your life. While many therapists will want to get a history on you to uncover specific behavioral patterns and emotional memories that have helped wire the brain, the idea of therapy is NOT to blame your parents for all of your current troubles.
You Won’t Feel Better Immediately
Though the end goal of therapy is to create better habits and behaviors that lead to creating a happy and fulfilling life, the process of getting there will sometimes be uncomfortable. It is unrealistic to expect you will feel better immediately. Therapy takes time and commitment.
You Have to Want to Change
You can seek advice from a nutritionist and personal trainer who will give you the tools to get fit and healthy. But if you don’t take their advice and you don’t do the work, you won’t see results. The same is true for therapy.
Not Your Traditional Psychotherapist
I will bring to you tools and techniques so that your learning extends beyond our therapy hour. I believe in assigning homework so that you can practice what we talk about in order to build confidence as you step outside of your comfort zone. I believe in holding you accountable for your ultimate success in therapy. With that said, you will find support, patience, nurturance and be given a hand as we work collaboratively together. I will be your cheerleader. My style as a therapist puts you in the driver’s seat in your life. You will understand how to make your life better. It’s your personal process of becoming more, becoming better and being responsible for creating what you want.
I Am Ready ~ Are You?
I approach my work from the belief that the person is not the problem but that the problem, is the problem. I take a curious, non-judgemental, ‘client is the expert in their life’ stance and collaborate with you, providing you with practical tools and skills that you can use so that you can experience feeling empowered in your life, outside of my office. I will provide you with the accountability you need to get your work done while working collaboratively alongside you.
If you or someone you know is tired of being sick and tired trying to figure things out on their own, please feel free to schedule a no cost 20-minute call as your first step to explore working together.
