6 Tips for Getting the Most from Therapy

The therapy experience is different for everyone. The treatment or techniques that work for one person may not work for the next. However, our counseling experts offer these tips for making the most of your therapy:

Do not get caught up with being overly polite.

Feel free to ask any questions you have. It is okay not to agree with your therapist. And, please, speak up if something does not make sense to you. No advanced psychology education or years of studying can ever invalidate your feelings. So be honest if something does not feel right.

Do not keep things to yourself.

You have to be completely honest about your thoughts for your therapist to get to know you better and help you with your issues. If you are scared that the therapist will judge you, try to remind yourself that good therapists are never there to judge.

Be the most authentic version of yourself.

Tell your provider if the idea of being your most authentic self feels unnatural or confusing. It is critical information for them to be aware of for the work you will do together. If you are struggling with how to articulate or describe how you are feeling, talk to them about it. Being honest is a great way to get to the root of your problem and address your feelings openly.

Be open with your emotions.

You do not need to bottle up your emotions in therapy as you do in other parts of your life. If things make you feel sad or angry, release those emotions. Therapists deal with many different situations in their jobs, so do not be scared to share the feelings you are going through. Part of the therapy process is to help you navigate your emotions.

Set boundaries about therapy.

Sometimes it feels completely natural to discuss therapy with family or your significant other, but make an effort to create thoughtful boundaries about how you discuss it. A time may come when you do not feel as comfortable discussing what you addressed in therapy. It is unwise to set the expectation that you will always be willing to share your experience. It can cause avoidable conflict in the future.

Write in a journal.

The work is not complete when your therapy session ends. The things that came up in the previous session will also be addressed in your next one. Try to practice what you learned in therapy throughout your week. Pay attention to the emotions you experience and any new challenges that arise.

The best way to keep track of your feelings between sessions is to write in a journal. You can use a notebook or even a private Google doc to record your thoughts and feelings. There is nothing wrong with referring to your journal during therapy sessions. Your provider will probably be impressed by your efforts.

These are just a few tips for getting the most out of therapy. Contact us today for counseling in Richmond, VA. We are here to help you find balance and wellbeing.