I want to offer some simple, helpful tools to support you as you rebuild your home.
During my first session with any new client, I always pose this question: “Let’s say we’re at the ‘end’ of our time working together (whenever that end date may be). We look back at our time together in therapy and you say, ‘Wow, that was worth all of the time, money, effort and energy.’ What would we need to have done to make this process worth it?”
I always want to make therapy a worthwhile process for my clients, and I believe that each therapist will have his/her own perspective on how the therapist can help to make therapy as beneficial as possible.
“Let’s say we’re at the ‘end’ of our time working together (whenever that end date may be). We look back at our time together in therapy and you say, ‘Wow, that was worth all of the time, money, effort and energy.’ What would we need to have done to make this process worth it?”
I also believe that clients can take an active role in making this process worthwhile, and here are a few suggestions and ideas as to how you can do that:
Stay engaged with the process.
- There will be times you want to quit, either because you’re digging in to deep things or because life feels better but you know there is still more work to do. Stick with it.
- Hold onto hope when the process feels discouraging. Look back at how far you’ve come (even if this is just your second session) and acknowledge the courage it takes just to step foot in the office.
- Take risks to share and allow yourself to be a bit uncomfortable. We often learn best and make the most change when we push ourselves just a bit beyond where we think we can go.
Be real with your therapist.
- Ask your therapist about the process of therapy, any concerns/struggles you’re having with the process, or anything that your therapist does/says that doesn’t quite make sense.
- Let your therapist know if you would like “homework” in between sessions or if there is anything the therapist can do to help you absorb all that you’re processing in session.
Be consistent.
- Schedule regular times to meet so you can start seeing progress happen faster.
- Ask your therapist for outside resources that can supplement the work you’re doing in therapy (groups, workshops, books, etc.)
In this with you,
Alair
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