Therapy can be so good for the mind and the body. Whether you have gone through trauma in the past or are dealing with some tough stuff right now, a little time in therapy can make a world of difference in your journey to recovery.
It is normal to feel a little nervous when you first get started on therapy. You may worry that it will not go well or that you will do something wrong. But there is so much that is beneficial with therapy and everyone can benefit from working together with a therapist to help them out.
Some of the things that you should know before you start therapy include:
Always Be Honest
If you go to therapy and decide not to be completely honest, then you are missing out on some of the great benefits available in therapy. This is a rare chance for you to be 100% honest without being judged along the way.
You are paying the therapist to listen to you and your problems. Lying to them or omitting important information is just counterproductive to what you hope to accomplish. Even if you are doing something bad or illegal, you need to tell the therapist so they can get a complete picture of what is going on and can provide the best treatment options.
Therapy is an Investment Now and Later
The skills that you will learn in therapy and the support and insight you can receive will help you in many aspects of your life. Not only will you be able to use them right now, but you will also be able to use them as part of your toolbox when other challenges show up for you.
In therapy, you will gain some knowledge that will improve your ability to cope with mood swings and stress, helps you understand why you do certain things, and can help facilitate communication between you and others in your life.
Keeping Your Appointments is Important
The best way to get the most out of therapy is to be consistent with it. If you are late, that means you have less time with the therapist and you will have to spend more of your time in therapy talking about why you struggle to arrive on time to talk to them.
You must make therapy a priority in your life. This is a time for you to work through some of the problems that have come up in life and learn the coping techniques that you need. None of this will happen if you do not show up to the appointment.
Somatic Therapy May be Right for You
There are different types of therapy that you can choose to use to help aid in your mental health and get through some of the tough things that have happened in your life. You can choose from a variety of options or you can talk with your therapist to see which method they recommend for you.
One type of therapy that is becoming more popular is somatic therapy. This therapy type allows us to connect the mind and body at the same time. If there is trauma that is found in the body, then the somatic therapy method can help with that.
Somatic trauma therapy is going to be a little different than some of the other forms because it focuses first on the body, going through a bottom-up approach. This can help handle some of the stressors that the body is dealing with, leading the mind to have more freedom to let go of the hard times and flow it all out of the body.
This method can be a good option if you hold onto a lot of things within the body and you want to focus on the mind and the body at the same time. Look for a therapist who can handle the somatic therapy methods.
Let the Therapist Know of Any Concerns
Your therapist is not going to be able to fix or address the things that go wrong if they don’t know about them. They will not lose their cool or get angry and offended when you tell them what is wrong. They want to know that something is going on so they can work with you to make it better.
If you go through a session and feel offended by something the therapist said or feel like you are being mistreated at some point, then give the therapist a chance to change things or understand them.
Of course, some therapists may not listen and will get mad, but then this is a sign you need to move on to someone else. Most therapists will do something to help change the issue and can help you to fix the problem, making you more comfortable during therapy.
Nothing is Off Limits
When you go to therapy, you can talk about anything. Even if it is uncomfortable in other conversations. Therapists have heard it all and will be able to listen without getting embarrassed or holding it against you. Once you get these things out in the open, you will have a trusted partner who can discuss the issues and work towards helping you feel better.
At the same time, do not worry about the therapist. They have a support group to help them if they need it and can handle the grief, sadness, and anger that you throw at them. And if a topic comes up that they can’t handle, they will refer you to someone who can. You work on seeking out the right treatment and let the therapist handle everything else.
Choosing the Right Therapist for You
There are many great therapists out there who will help you with your mental health issues and can make sure that you are healthy and doing well for years to come. Take some of the tips above and get to work with a trusted therapist who will help you improve your mental health today.
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