Will I REALLY benefit from therapy?
You’d be surprised at how often I’m asked this question. And the truth is, the answer will be different for each person.
For many people reaching out to receive counselling they have either:
Never seen a therapist before, so have no idea what to expect.
Have seen a therapist in the past, but didn’t connect well with them, and had an awful experience.
Have done therapy in the past, and had an amazing experience, so they’re keen to do more.
For you to receive the most benefits out of therapy, there are a few factors for you to consider.
Are you in a safe space? One where you are fully ready to dive in with your head and heart open? I think it’s important that you feel safe and ready to unleash some of these more painful experiences. (Especially trauma! If you are going to dive into trauma, please make sure it’s with a qualified and trained person, who can recognise the signs when you are disassociating, and ensure that you have the right coping strategies in place.)
Do you feel comfortable with your chose therapist?
This is something I tell all of my potential clients. 80% of effective therapy comes from the relationship you have with your therapist. I think this is why some people have an awful experience in the past- they don’t connect or feel like they can trust their therapist. It’s okay to “shop around” until you find the right fit for you. Listen to your gut.
Are you ready to “do the work”, self-reflect, and put into place some of the “homework” or strategies that your therapist has given? Most of the work is done outside of the therapy room. It’s OK if you don’t feel ready. There’s no rush. That’s certainly something you can unpack in a session.
Remember, therapy is part of the overall journey. A good therapist will refer you to other modalities if that’s what’s required (eg. EMDR, somatic, etc.)