How Can it Help Me? What Draws People to Therapy
Whether you are considering therapy because of a recent life event, or something that has been stirring inside you for some time, therapy can be the bridge to a better future. Better, brighter days.
Sometimes, we feel like there is unrest deep inside us since we can remember. People describe this as feeling like something is wrong or different from others. Talking about this with someone, maybe a therapist, can help shed light on what these feelings are, give you clarity and words to describe. It seems the unrest is more confusing when you do not have the words to describe what is going on. Once you have a way to talk about what you're feeling in greater depth, you can understand what it is, where it may be coming from, and the next steps, what do to about it.
When talking with another about thoughts and feelings, it can feel messy, but the therapist is there to ask questions and help you understand what may be going on. These questions may be what you need to get to the bottom of "it."
Letting Your Guard Down, Being Open to Possibilities
All that to say, whether it is your first time opening up to another or not, it can be difficult to get started. It ma
y feel awkward and you don't know what to expect. When you get to know someone new you may think, what will I have to say? Can I trust this other
person with m
y deepest thoughts and feelings? Your therapist is there to facilitate this conversation with you, ask you questions and lead the way. When they ask you questions, they will get to know you, and hopefully you them, in order to begin to build a trusting relationship. With subsequent sessions you will feel more comfortable opening up, remember that this doesn't all happen at once.
Being open to the possibility of building rapport with your therapist so they can help guide you could open the door to a totally new you! The more you open up, the more opportunity you will have for growth.
What to Expect
During your first session, typically your therapist will guide an "intake" assessment. This is to start getting to know you and where you come from. If there is something who made you who you are, what problems you may be facing and what brought you to therapy. Don't worry, your therapist is your guide. They will ask these questions and prompt you with some things to think of!
You will also discuss a treatment plan which would include what kind of therapy the counselor provides in order to guide you to solutions. This will also include your discussion of frequency of visits and what your expectations (as well as theirs) are in place in order to meet your needs.
Remember, you are in the driver seat! You can let the therapist know what your goals are, what you are ho
ping to achieve and they are there to help you accomplish whatever you have envisioned. Or, they can help give you options of where to go, if it feels like you don't know where to start.
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