Post by Admin on Feb 21, 2024 12:05:12 GMT
How to get ready for therapy
Whatever brings you to a therapist’s office, taking these proactive steps as you begin can help you make the most of it
by Rochelle Frank
psyche.co/guides/how-to-get-ready-for-therapy-and-achieve-better-progress
In many areas of life, a bit of preparation can do a lot to lessen anxiety and help you make the most of what lies ahead. Not only does that include planning for adverse events like storms, power failures or earthquakes (an ever-looming threat in my state of California), but also prepping for exams, presentations, athletic events, job interviews or any other situation where you would want a positive outcome.
Relatively few people, however, think about preparing for psychotherapy. In this Guide, I will explain why it’s a good idea, and offer specific suggestions for how to prepare – whether you have recently chosen a therapist and are booking your first appointment or you’ve already gone through the intake process and are just getting started. While psychotherapy is not fraught with danger like earthquakes or other natural disasters, completing some simple steps as you’re getting started with therapy will give you a better sense of what to expect, and it can improve your chances of a positive and productive experience with your therapist.
Why you should take the time to prepare for therapy
Unlike in many other relationships, therapists are dedicated to helping the patient without any expectation of reciprocity. The relationship is protected by laws and ethical codes to ensure the unequivocal prioritisation of a patient’s needs. And for many people, therapy is neither free nor easy to access. Given all this, the idea of having to exert effort before your first appointment may seem a bit confusing; you might wonder if the therapist is the one who should be doing most (if not all) of the preparatory work. Whether that’s your assumption or not, let’s think about how taking a more proactive stance could yield better results than relying solely on the actions of your therapist.
When people contact me to enquire about psychotherapy, they commonly ask how long it will take to get better. My response is always the same: ‘That depends on you.’ Every therapist-patient pairing is different, and both individuals are vital to what they accomplish together. Decades of research have highlighted the crucial role patients play in yielding better therapy outcomes when they come prepared and willing to work, and when they have a sense of what to expect. This actually makes a lot of sense, given that every patient brings expertise on their unique life experiences. Even when symptoms look the same across different people, as is often true with anxiety, depression and other psychological problems, I rely on each patient’s input to know how to best help them. When therapist and patient collaborate, their pooling of knowledge, innovation and resources leads to creative problem-solving and more personalised and meaningful – and thus more effective – treatment.
Even a small expenditure of effort in advance of starting therapy can yield big dividends in how much you get out of it in the end. Taking agency in life – starting with your therapy – is therapeutic in itself. Many people feel hopeless, helpless and demoralised by the time they start (or restart) therapy. This often follows years of struggling, which can erode one’s confidence and core sense of self. Also, for many people who are approaching therapy for the first time, the idea of confiding in a near stranger and sharing personal and family ‘secrets’ can be intimidating, anxiety-provoking and even taboo within certain cultural groups. While it’s important to honour one’s personal, family and cultural values, starting off with an openness to venturing outside what is familiar can open the door to emotional support and behavioural change, ultimately alleviating suffering. By assuming an active role in your own healing process, you’re taking important first steps on the road to the life you want to have.
Whatever brings you to a therapist’s office, taking these proactive steps as you begin can help you make the most of it
by Rochelle Frank
psyche.co/guides/how-to-get-ready-for-therapy-and-achieve-better-progress
In many areas of life, a bit of preparation can do a lot to lessen anxiety and help you make the most of what lies ahead. Not only does that include planning for adverse events like storms, power failures or earthquakes (an ever-looming threat in my state of California), but also prepping for exams, presentations, athletic events, job interviews or any other situation where you would want a positive outcome.
Relatively few people, however, think about preparing for psychotherapy. In this Guide, I will explain why it’s a good idea, and offer specific suggestions for how to prepare – whether you have recently chosen a therapist and are booking your first appointment or you’ve already gone through the intake process and are just getting started. While psychotherapy is not fraught with danger like earthquakes or other natural disasters, completing some simple steps as you’re getting started with therapy will give you a better sense of what to expect, and it can improve your chances of a positive and productive experience with your therapist.
Why you should take the time to prepare for therapy
Unlike in many other relationships, therapists are dedicated to helping the patient without any expectation of reciprocity. The relationship is protected by laws and ethical codes to ensure the unequivocal prioritisation of a patient’s needs. And for many people, therapy is neither free nor easy to access. Given all this, the idea of having to exert effort before your first appointment may seem a bit confusing; you might wonder if the therapist is the one who should be doing most (if not all) of the preparatory work. Whether that’s your assumption or not, let’s think about how taking a more proactive stance could yield better results than relying solely on the actions of your therapist.
When people contact me to enquire about psychotherapy, they commonly ask how long it will take to get better. My response is always the same: ‘That depends on you.’ Every therapist-patient pairing is different, and both individuals are vital to what they accomplish together. Decades of research have highlighted the crucial role patients play in yielding better therapy outcomes when they come prepared and willing to work, and when they have a sense of what to expect. This actually makes a lot of sense, given that every patient brings expertise on their unique life experiences. Even when symptoms look the same across different people, as is often true with anxiety, depression and other psychological problems, I rely on each patient’s input to know how to best help them. When therapist and patient collaborate, their pooling of knowledge, innovation and resources leads to creative problem-solving and more personalised and meaningful – and thus more effective – treatment.
Even a small expenditure of effort in advance of starting therapy can yield big dividends in how much you get out of it in the end. Taking agency in life – starting with your therapy – is therapeutic in itself. Many people feel hopeless, helpless and demoralised by the time they start (or restart) therapy. This often follows years of struggling, which can erode one’s confidence and core sense of self. Also, for many people who are approaching therapy for the first time, the idea of confiding in a near stranger and sharing personal and family ‘secrets’ can be intimidating, anxiety-provoking and even taboo within certain cultural groups. While it’s important to honour one’s personal, family and cultural values, starting off with an openness to venturing outside what is familiar can open the door to emotional support and behavioural change, ultimately alleviating suffering. By assuming an active role in your own healing process, you’re taking important first steps on the road to the life you want to have.