Some people who haven’t really engaged with the topic of psychotherapy might have very different ideas about it. These perceptions can vary greatly. Some might think that therapy brings quick results, and all concerns are resolved in just a few sessions, but real progress takes time. Others might think that going to therapy is “nonsense” and that it’s not possible to heal in a way like this. And then there are those, who want to start therapy but just don’t have the courage to take that first step. All of these perspectives are completely understandable and human!
But what does a therapy process actually look like, and what is its goal? Here are just a few (of many) reasons why people might decide to go to therapy: depression, hopelessness, loneliness, traumatic experiences from childhood that resurface in adulthood, toxic relationships with parents and/ or partners, posttraumatic stress disorders and so much more. These examples are intentionally kept simple to make them understandable for all readers. As a master’s student in clinical psychology, it would be possible to go much deeper and explain things more scientifically, but the goal here is to reach people who might not have felt comfortable with this topic before and perhaps break some of the stereotypes. So, I want to keep these lines very simple and basic and hope to reach all kinds of different readers and their perspectives.
Now that there is an understanding of why people go to therapy, it is worth exploring what happens next. The first few therapy sessions usually focus on one thing: getting to know each other. A new relationship is built during this phase and as we know from our personal lives, building relationships takes time. This relationship is based on trust, so it’s important to allow both the therapist and the individual some time, to let the process unfold.
In the beginning, therapists focus on getting to know their clients. This process cannot be completed in a single session. Even after a whole year, therapists might still learn new things about the people they work with. But after just a few sessions, significant progress is often made. At the start of therapy, individuals share some details about their life, environment, and the reasons that brought them there. Psychologists aim to understand the concerns presented, or, if there are no specific concerns, to explore what led someone to seek therapy. After a few sessions, people often discover new things about themselves or realize that their concerns are connected to deeper issues. This can make them realize how helpful therapy really is and why starting it was a great decision.
The goal of therapy is to process struggles, concerns, overwhelming emotions, stress, painful memories, grief, or trauma that might not have been manageable alone. For this to happen, therapists need to gather a lot of information. This is because certain concerns might be connected to deeper issues such as childhood trauma. This is just one example and while this is not always the case, such connections can only be uncovered by understanding the full picture.
Therapy is highly individual, so it’s impossible to generalize its goals. But one common point is to help individuals gain new perspectives that might not have been accessible on their own. Depending on the type of therapy, there might also be some collaborative work, such as assigning tasks or setting small challenges. These should not feel intimidating. Tasks might involve writing down feelings or noting moments when stress or worries become overwhelming. Challenges could involve taking small steps forward to overcome obstacles. Therapists only suggest these when they are sure that the individual is ready for it.
Through personalized assignments, it’s possible to explore emotions that might not have been fully recognized before. This can lead to uncovering feelings or events that may have been unconsciously “blocked out”. While similar activities could theoretically be tried at home, the difference with therapists is that they work evidence-based. This means they rely on science (empirical research) to guide their practice. Combining the knowledge and expertise of the therapist with the individual’s willingness to engage, meaningful results can be achieved over time. “Trust the process” perfectly captures the essence of therapy and its journey.
Contact Information:
Selina Demir
selinademir.aut@gmail.com
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Awesome 👏