What to Expect: What is Therapy?

Okay, we've discussed how to find the right therapist and the first appointment, but then what? Is this person going to tell me how to fix my life? Make everything alright again?

Well, no, actually. Therapy isn't about someone else giving you advice on how to fix your life or being able to provide step by step instructions on how to fix it. Especially in the sessions right after your intake. But therapy is about working on specific goals (reference our article on the intake where you and your therapist agreed to certain goals) and creating change. But the therapist doesn't do that change. You do.

Therapy is work. And your therapist is there to help you with that work. But in reality, you bring information to your therapist. Without that information, your therapist has nothing. You are the expert on yourself, and you get to educate your therapist on you. Talk about what it was that brought you to therapy, topics around the goals you made with your therapist, or interactions or reactions that you had that week that concern you.

FYI: You are not required to lay on the couch.

Your therapist will listen, reflect, and probably ask a ton of questions. They might tell you to focus on this or try that or imagine/visualize/reflect, etc etc etc. You get the point. Some of this depends on the type of therapy they practice (Cognitive Behavioral is one type). Then you get to take that feedback from them and.... (imagine drum roll here), do what you want with it.

You can focus on this or try that or imagine/visualize/reflect etc etc etc. Or, you can throw it in the damn trash can on your way out. It's YOUR choice. Which is kind of freaking awesome.

But, here's the caveat, you want the change... you gotta do the work. And sometimes it's scary. But your therapist can help you with that too.

To sum it up, your therapist is your guide walking next to you in the dark scary room. They are there, they aren't leaving you to do it alone, but they still need you (and you need you) to move your own feet.

Feeling scared or nervous but also know something has to change? Contact us today for a free 15 minute consultation on how we can help.