Wondering what therapy is like? Here's what you need to know before your appointment with a psychologist.
Some time ago I wrote about what it is like first session psychological. Now, I'd like to talk about what the therapy itself is like.
Between the myths that exist about mental health, the various types of psychotherapy, and people who call themselves therapists without actually being one, there is a lot of confusion.
It is clear that several books could be written on the subject (and, in fact, there are) but I simply want to share some fundamental things about what it's like to go to therapy and what you can expect from it. If you're considering seeking psychological counseling, or simply want to learn more about therapy, read on.
What is it like to go to therapy?
Starting a therapeutic or psychological counseling process means investing in your emotional well-being. Going to therapy means attending sessions—in person or online—with a trained, empathetic, and professional person. During these sessions, you'll have time exclusively for yourself. This time is not only for deciphering your emotions and thoughts, it's also for charting a path toward change.
If you are interested in psychology, you surely know the great importance it has listening in a therapeutic process. You may have also heard that it is through of speech That people who go to therapy get things off their chest. And so, they're partly freed from a great weight they've been carrying.
Both situations are true. But let's be honest: You can be heard and vent in many ways other than going to therapy. Meeting up with friends, talking to your family, asking someone you trust for advice... sometimes that's enough. But other times, The discomfort is still there. And no matter how much advice you receive or how many self-help books you read, you feel like you need something more. That's where therapy, and obviously the therapist, come into play.
Going to therapy is an opportunity to see your problems differently with someone who is qualified to do so and who will leave value judgments behind.
Someone who can recognize that no one knows more about you than you do, but who, at the same time, has dedicated their professional studies to understanding and observing how people change and what patterns are necessary for this to happen.
As my colleague writes Dr. Mila Petkova:
You go to therapy so the therapist can use all of their acquired knowledge to facilitate your own transformation. Their job isn't to tell you what to do with your life.
Imagine you hire a trainer at the gym. Of course, you'll benefit greatly from his knowledge, but he's not going to lift the weights for you.
That's why, in my practice you won't find any advice. You'll find someone who can help you clarify what's important to you so you can make decisions that are consistent with your desires and values. So you can take ownership of your life.
Therapy is a means of relieving emotional distress. It's a safe space where you're free to express everything you're thinking, with a purpose beyond venting: recognize yourself in your speech, link thoughts with emotions and take action.
