How To Break Barriers And Start Therapy With Confidence
Starting therapy can be a big step, and it's completely normal to feel nervous about it. It’s important to know that therapy can be incredibly beneficial, providing you with the tools and support you need to manage your mental well-being and live a fulfilling life. Here are some tips to help you get started, even if you're feeling nervous.
Get clear on why you're seeking therapy
Understanding why you want to start therapy can help you feel more motivated and confident. It could be that you're struggling with a specific issue like anxiety, depression, or relationship problems, or you simply want to work on personal growth and self-improvement. Having a clear goal in mind can help you feel more prepared for therapy. It can also be helpful to think about the potential consequences of not seeking therapy vs. the outcomes you can expect if you do.
Find a therapist who's right for you
Choosing a therapist who you feel comfortable with is important for a successful therapy experience. Research consistently supports this! Consider your preferences for factors like the therapist's experience, approach, and location. You can often do a free 15 minute consultation with a therapist by phone to see if it feels like a good fit.
Don't be afraid to ask questions
Before you start therapy, it's important to understand what to expect. Don't be afraid to ask the therapist questions about their approach, what the therapy sessions will be like, and what the process will involve. This will help you feel more informed and prepared. It’s typical for therapists to review this information with you during your first appointment as well. This information can also often be found on the therapist’s website and intake paperwork, so be sure to read those forms carefully!
Prepare for your sessions with self-care
Starting therapy can be an emotional process, so it's important to take care of yourself both before and after your therapy sessions. Consider practicing self-care activities like meditation, exercise, or journaling to help you feel more relaxed and centered. At LifeSpring, we’ve created a therapy journal to help people prepare for their therapy sessions, create therapeutic goals, reflect on their sessions, and write down the action items they’ll be working on between sessions.
Be open and honest
During your therapy sessions, it's important to be open and honest about what you're feeling and thinking. This will help your therapist understand you better and provide you with more tailored and effective support. Remember that therapy is a confidential space where you can discuss anything you want. Therapists are trained to have a non-judgmental approach, so there’s no need to worry about your therapist judging you. Being open and honest helps your therapist help you!
Be patient and persistent
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” This can be important to keep in mind when you start mental health therapy. Oftentimes, people wait a very long time before they decide to sign up for counseling services, so there’s a lot of work to be done to make changes.
Sometimes we want to see immediate results, and while some immediate changes may be possible, it’s important to know that learning new information, practicing new coping strategies and ways of being will take time and practice. We encourage you to be persistent and patient with the process. As with most things, the results you get will be partially determined by the amount of work that you put in. With time, dedication, and effort, you can see positive changes in your mental health and overall well-being.
Starting therapy can be a big step, but it can also be a positive, life-changing experience. At LifeSpring, we believe that starting therapy shows that someone has insight, a desire for change, and a desire for a better life. Attending therapy shows that you want better things for yourself. It’s an investment of your time, energy, and resources, and we (like you), believe that YOU are worth investing in!
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Interested in Online Counseling for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Grief and Loss?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief and loss aren’t the only services offered at our Maryland office
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Photo Credit: Polina Tankilevitch, Sora Shimazaki, and George Milton
Date of download: 4/4/2023
