From the Therapist: To The Person Starting Therapy
Image representing new days and recovering from addiction therapy in Cleveland Ohio
Hi ,
As cheesy as it sounds, you are about to start a life-changing journey. Regardless of what brings you into seeing a professional, you’re already making the right choices for yourself.
Knowing when the limit is for your stress is huge. Prioritizing your healing is even bigger.
Many people are nervous about sitting in the therapy chair, but I am hoping I can give you the insider tips to knowing how to ease your mind before it even begins.
Tip One: Stay Until the Magic Happens
Showing up to your session sounds simple enough. But, people don’t realize there is an effect of scheduling an appointment that provides relief to many in itself. Sometimes just scheduling provides a glimmer of hope that people need to feel “okay again” momentarily. Too many people think this means they “must not be as bad as they thought” and will cancel and stick it out. Except, reality sets back eventually.
I promise, your problems and symptoms won’t magically go away. You have to stay long enough to see the therapy magic work. With consistency and engagement, your symptoms will begin to dissipate if you give yourself the chance. Don’t let the appointment relief get in the way of lifelong relief!
Tip Two: Reveal Things as You’re Ready
I’ve seen my fair share of clients come in who aren’t ready to share anything personal - which is perfectly fine! After all, therapists are complete strangers until a few sessions in. Therapists are curious people naturally but also because of the role we have. We are going to ask some questions that feel personal from the start - but that doesn't mean you have to answer them if you aren’t ready. You can let us know “ I would rather talk about that in a few sessions.” If you are with a good therapist, they will respect that and not push you further.
On the other hand, I have also had clients who crunch their entire life down into a 25-minute narrative statement. They seem frantic to get everything out at once! If that's because you WANT to - then great! Share away if that’s your style. But, other people share intensely from the jump because they believe the therapist knowing every detail might provide relief faster. This isn’t true. Therapy outcomes are a compounding experience, meaning as you build a relationship slowly, the results slowly emerge! Take your time in letting your relationship with your therapist form and don’t rush yourself.
Tip Three: Recognize Results aren’t Linear
Therapists face a lot of pressure to help you heal on their end too. We genuinely care about our client’s healing and starting to live better life. We are guilty of feeling the need to rush to results for your sake too. So know that each session may not be one step closer incrementally each time. You take two metaphorical steps forward for the first few sessions and then four steps backward (seemingly) the eighth session. Do your best not to measure the effectiveness of therapy for the first several weeks if you feel gradually better after each session. Much of the time, awareness of progress begins to emerge all at once out of nowhere!
If you start to feel you aren’t making the progress you expected, be honest and transparent with your therapist! I promise they will not take offense to it. More likely, they'll appreciate it and it will be a clue for you both to explore how to move forward so progress IS made. Sometimes the saying is true, a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.
I’ll continue to wish you the best as you start to learn more about yourself and the world around you. If you are looking for a therapist in Ohio, I offer online therapy to folks across the state. If you are near the Beachwood or Cleveland area - I can even see you in person. I believe in acting like a human first and being a therapist second. So, if you see me in session I will keep it casual!
Schedule with me by phone at 216-302-1418 or on my site at www.brighterdaysrecoverycounseling.com
-Carley Trillow LICDC MSW
