What No One Tells You About Therapy (But Should!)
It is said we fear the unknown, which may be a reason that many people shy away from receiving therapy. It can be intimidating walking into your psychologist’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 they engage in treatment.
The thing is, although therapy is not as stigmatized as it once was, it is still not talked about openly, in a lot of social circles and, when this is combined with misleading portrayals of therapists, and the process of therapy in the main stream media, many people make incorrect assumptions 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, they will have you looking at Rorschach tests and talking about your dreams within minutes.
While these approaches can be used in therapy, there is little research evidence to support their efficacy. Dreams may be talked about in therapy, but in our practice, this typically only happens if a 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 it is helpful to know about your personal history to learn more about specific behaviour patterns and experiences that have helped to shape who you are today, the purpose 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 different behaviour patterns that lead to creating a meaningful and fulfilling life, the process of getting there will often be uncomfortable. It is unrealistic to expect your concerns will be resolved 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 follow their advice and you don’t do the work, you won’t see results.
The same is true for therapy. Your psychologist will be kind and go at a pace that feels comfortable for you, but ultimately you have to contribute to the process. It takes work from you to achieve your goals. This will be supported by your psychologist, who will help you to recognize your progress along the way.
Therapy isn’t magic, but it does provide you with the tools for lasting change.
If you or a loved one is interested in exploring treatment, please contact us today. We would be happy to speak with you about how we may be able to help.
