How To Maximize Your Therapy Results
By Rachel Paulich
You may have heard it said that therapy is an investment. It is indeed an investment of time, money, and effort, but it is a valuable investment in yourself that will pay dividends over the years.
So, if you’re taking the time, money, and effort to see a therapist, wouldn’t it be important to maximize your results? Of course it is! Here are our top tips for making the most progress with your therapy:
Be consistent
This is the number one tip for getting the most out of your therapy experience. When you meet with a therapist you’ll receive a prescribed treatment plan from them. This treatment plan might specify that you should come in for therapy once a week, once every other week, or another type of cadence. This therapy plan in individualized for you!
Staying consistent with your appointments makes it easier for you to establish a relationship with your therapist, to know what to expect and prepare for, and to work through barriers that naturally arise. Unlike a doctor’s office, which purposefully overschedules to try to get as many people in as possible, your therapy appointment is reserved for you and you only! Of course, there’s always the instance where you might be out of town and need to cancel or reschedule, but keeping a regular therapy cadence otherwise will help keep you on the healing path.
Be honest
This is not the time to try to impress your therapist or say what you think they want to hear. Being open, vulnerable, and honest about the issues you are dealing with and your behaviors will make it much more possible for your therapist to provide appropriate guidance and support. Therapists are trained and passionate about holding space for their clients in a non-judgmental way. Believe us when we say they’ve heard it all!
Be intentional
Therapists love it when their clients come prepared. Some people like to use a notebook to write down thoughts and ideas. Others have a ritual that helps them get into a more mindful headspace (i.e., brew a cup of tea beforehand, take a 10 minute walk outside before your appointment, etc.). Coming to your session with intention will help you do your best therapy work and leave with what you need to continue to progress.
Be patient
This might be one of the hardest steps of all! We all want to feel better right away, and it can be challenging and frustrating to be patient with the process. Therapists usually can’t tell you exactly how long it will take before you start noticing a difference in your life, and at times it might feel like things are getting worse instead of getting better. It’s like cleaning out a large and messy closet — often after you’ve emptied it out and you see how much there is to sort through and organize, it can feel overwhelming and you’ll be tempted to quit. However, staying consistent and steady in your efforts will keep you moving through the messy middle and to the success on the other side. You just have to stick with it!
If you’re not sure how to make meaningful progress in therapy, or feel like you are struggling to do so, talk to your therapist about it. Together you can identify ways to make therapy meaningful and impactful and maximize your progress wherever possible. The trauma-informed therapists at The Healing Group are experts in supporting you on your healing journey. Call or text us at 801-305-3171 to make an appointment.
