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Is counseling for me?
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Date : 8/17/2009
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Yes. Therapy is designed to help anyone deal with or respond to problems they’re experiencing. It can help you be the person you want to be. It can promote relationships, decrease stress, improve quality of life and foster emotional health. It’s an investment in yourself. It’s the one thing you can control in improving the situations and circumstances you find yourself struggling in.
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What happens in therapy? (i.e. What will the therapist do?)
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Date : 8/17/2009
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Initially, depending on the type of therapy, the therapist can be very active, asking questions, clarifying answers, and establish goals and directions for therapy. Therapists will empathize with what you are feeling and experiencing. Therapists will listen to you, and provide a safe place to discuss and process painful or difficult emotions and experiences. They provide guidance and direction for next steps.
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Will they be able to read my mind or know all my deepest darkest secrets?
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Date : 8/17/2009
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Oftentimes people are worried or concerned that their therapist will be able to know everything they’re thinking, or everything they’ve ever done. This is far from the truth. Therapists are not clairvoyant. They are attentive and focused solely on you and what you’re experiencing. This can often feel like they can read your mind because they have the ability to voice clearly those feelings you struggle to understand and express.
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What will the experience be like for me?
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Date : 8/17/2009
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Initially you’ll probably be nervous and anxious. You might believe you have to be “crazy” to go see a therapist. That’s ok. This is normal. As you go, you’ll become more comfortable with the therapist and with yourself in facing those parts of you that you don’t like. Graduating will be joyous as you move forward free from the problems you entered with, yet sad as you say good-bye to someone who has made a huge difference in your life.
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What can I gain from going to therapy?
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Date : 8/17/2009
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You gain a deeper understanding of self. You learn to appreciate both the strengths and weaknesses within you. You learn to communicate more effectively, assert yourself more appropriately, and maintain healthy boundaries in relationships.
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Is it okay to bring someone else into my sessions?
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Date : 8/17/2009
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A lot of that depends on the reason for therapy and the purpose for inviting someone else along. When the focus is to help you grow and develop as a person or overcome the difficulties you’re experiencing, then yes, it’s very beneficial to invite someone else into your therapy. When the focus is to simply release your pent up anger or hurt on another individual in order to inflict in them the pain you’ve experienced, then it would be inappropriate to invite that person to your sessions. Timing of when you do it is also a consideration to keep in mind.
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Is it okay to ask the therapist questions?
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Date : 8/17/2009
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Yes. The progress and outcome of your treatment is dependent upon it. If you’re confused about something the therapist has said or unclear on how to apply what they’ve suggested, or even if you disagree with something the therapist has said, don’t hesitate to speak up. But remember that while the therapist is an expert, you are still responsible for yourself and the choices you make.
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How long can I expect to be in therapy?
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Date : 8/17/2009
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The biggest indicator regarding the length of treatment is linked to the level of commitment and involvement you give to the process, as well as the severity and complexity of the issue(s) you seek assistance for. An average length of therapy is between 9-12 months, but some may be longer or shorter depending on the type of counseling the therapist offers.
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