Joshua, our guest therapist columnist, is taking a break this week but left his Psychology Today publication behind for inspiration. We’d like to continue where he left off by building on his theme of where to find a therapist and how to choose a therapist.
These excerpts from the September 19, 2023 issue of Psychology Today discusses the following key points:
- What’s Covered in Therapy
- Questions to Contemplate
- Why is My Therapist Silent?
- What Should You Never Tell Your Therapist?
What’s Covered in Therapy:
The simplest answer is to cover what YOU want. It’s your time and your goals. Your therapist is there to help guide you successfully to completing your goals, not set them for you. Common jumping-off points include tension or conflicts in relationships, past trauma, difficulties at work, or recent mood changes. You may also come to therapy to discuss long-term goals, upcoming life changes, or complex feelings like poor self-esteem, shame, guilt, or grief.
Questions to Contemplate: So, where do I begin? Before your first therapy session, ask yourself the following questions:
- What has changed that pushed me decide to seek therapy now?
- Where in my life do I feel as if I’m getting stuck?
- How are my close relationships? What about my career?
- What changes would I most like to see in my life right now?
Why is My Therapist Silent?:
It isn’t necessary to come to session with 50 minutes of talking points, either. Your therapist will listen to the information you bring, and will use that to ask additional questions, point out thought patterns or things to consider, and help keep the conversation going. This is especially true of therapists who employ more contemporary and evidence-based methods including those based on cognitive behavioral techniques.
Can I trust my therapist with my confidentiality?:
Therapists are required, ethically and legally, to keep your information private and confidential. The few exceptions to these requirements are when child abuse, elderly abuse, or disabled abuse are disclosed, when a client is thinking of hurting themselves or others, and when required by law for judicial proceedings. The therapy space is designed to allow for a judgement free, unbiased opportunity to find improvement in your life. You are always welcome to ask your clinician about the ins and outs of confidentiality to help you find peace of mind.
If you have postponed seeking therapy because you aren’t sure what to discuss, how to begin or if you fear your conversation will be shared with others, click on the following link to read the Psychology Today article in its entirety to put your mind at ease and give yourself the push you need: (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/therapy/what-to-talk-about-in-therapy).
