Tips to help you maximize your counseling experience:
Therapy works best when you attend all of your scheduled appointments. The effectiveness of therapy depends on your active participation. It requires time, effort and regularity.
As you begin therapy, establish some goals with your therapist. Then spend time periodically reviewing your progress with your therapist. If you don't like your therapist's approach or if you don't think the therapist is helping you, talk to him or her about it and seek a second opinion if both you and your therapist agree, but don't discontinue therapy abruptly.
Identify the source of your stress and start keeping a journal. Journaling is a great way for you to process your feelings and get perspective on an issue. Introspection can help you solve your problems. But remember too much introspection without outside input may cause you to get stuck in a rut.
Therefore, to avoid getting stuck in a rut try to increase the number of supports in your life. It is important to remember that the greater the number of stressers in your life the more important it becomes to have an adequate support systems in place. We are social creatures who need to be with people.
As well, make sure you are eating, sleeping and exercising properly. We now know that your physical health can affect your emotional well being and vise versa. You may also like to get a physical to make sure you are in good health.
Remember, therapy involves evaluating your thoughts, feelings, behaviors and relationships trying to find out what is contributing to your distress. It then is your responsibility to take what you learn, apply it to your life and make changes. As well, to avoid frustration keep in mind that therapy is a process and not a quick fix.
Finally, do not compare yourself or your experience in therapy with another person’s experience or rate of growth or healing. You are a unique individual, couple or family with a unique set of circumstances and history. Your life journey is all your own and special. Please remember that.
Therapy works best when you attend all of your scheduled appointments. The effectiveness of therapy depends on your active participation. It requires time, effort and regularity.
As you begin therapy, establish some goals with your therapist. Then spend time periodically reviewing your progress with your therapist. If you don't like your therapist's approach or if you don't think the therapist is helping you, talk to him or her about it and seek a second opinion if both you and your therapist agree, but don't discontinue therapy abruptly.
Identify the source of your stress and start keeping a journal. Journaling is a great way for you to process your feelings and get perspective on an issue. Introspection can help you solve your problems. But remember too much introspection without outside input may cause you to get stuck in a rut.
Therefore, to avoid getting stuck in a rut try to increase the number of supports in your life. It is important to remember that the greater the number of stressers in your life the more important it becomes to have an adequate support systems in place. We are social creatures who need to be with people.
As well, make sure you are eating, sleeping and exercising properly. We now know that your physical health can affect your emotional well being and vise versa. You may also like to get a physical to make sure you are in good health.
Remember, therapy involves evaluating your thoughts, feelings, behaviors and relationships trying to find out what is contributing to your distress. It then is your responsibility to take what you learn, apply it to your life and make changes. As well, to avoid frustration keep in mind that therapy is a process and not a quick fix.
Finally, do not compare yourself or your experience in therapy with another person’s experience or rate of growth or healing. You are a unique individual, couple or family with a unique set of circumstances and history. Your life journey is all your own and special. Please remember that.