Many of us enter therapy hoping to get some quick relief from the
distress that we are experiencing. We are aware that therapy is costing us a lot in terms
of time, money, and energy and we want to see some immediate results, especially when we
are in pain. It is important that you talk with your therapist about your expectations and
needs from therapy. Just like any relationship, the more you know and can express what you
want, the better chance you will have of receiving that. You may be entering therapy for
the first time and not have a sense of what needs to happen other than you want to feel
better. It is important to express this as well. Here is a list of what have seen to be
true for many people about therapy:
It takes time to establish a trusting relationship with a
therapist.
It is important to go at your own pace and not overwhelm yourself.
We all resist change. Don't be surprised if you are tempted to
quit right before
some real changes or breakthroughs are about to happen.
Becoming more healthy and balanced can feel very unfamiliar and
uncomfortable at first.
Being committed to therapy will change your life. Be prepared to
feel some loss from this.
Others may resist your changes and growth and will need time to
adapt.
Therapy is hard work.
Your therapist is not perfect and will make mistakes. Hopefully he
or she will acknowledge
and take responsibility for those mistakes.
Some therapy is short term (usually focusing on one issue and
situational) and other therapy
may be longer term (more than one or complex issues.)
Expect your therapist to have good boundaries, avoid dual
relationships, be ethical, and treat
you with respect. If not, find another therapist.
