How to get the most out of a therapy session?

Is spoken of the qualities that a psychologist should have but not of how we as patients should behave in a therapy session. Remember that “doing your part” will help you advance in the treatment, therefore, it is worth the effort.

Psychologists specialized in clinical They have studied to help people who come to them seeking help and, furthermore, they have the best of intentions.. On the other hand, of course they make mistakes and make mistakes, because they are human beings and not machines or robots (for now).

How to make a therapy session work?

But, for a therapy session to work, just as happens in a couple, good practices and intentions must be shared. He/She as a psychologist, you as a patient. It is precisely, The union of these two common bets is worth strengthening to achieve the best results.

Have We must assume that the responsibility for the success of a consultation lies with both the person who consults and the person who helps. Don’t forget this decalogue to take advantage of your appointments with the psychologist.

1. Trust the professional

Remember that their task is to be a guide, to help and accompany you, also to advise you, not to become your number one intimate enemy. It will observe your emotional and mental health, analyze your words, your gestures and your feelings.

Everything in pursuit of your recovery. It is good that you trust your therapist and tell him openly what is happening to you. If he is good, he will not judge you, he will not look at you badly or blame you for anything. He simply needs data to be able to help you.

2. Let us know if you can’t attend

We all have last-minute problems, changes at work, things that happen without us wanting, traffic jams or getting sick. If you are not going to the session, send him a message or call him on the phoneit doesn’t cost you anything and it helps him a lot to organize himself and not have to wait for you.

Respect has to circulate back and forthTherefore, if the professional cannot assist you due to an unforeseen event, he or she must let you know as soon as possible.

3. Be discreet with what the psychologist tells you

Try to ensure that everything that is said in the consultation remains there. This is true in most cases for the therapist, but not always for the patient.

If, for example, you are in the waiting room and you see someone you know, do not divulge it freely, this person may not want to reveal it and you have a moral duty to keep this information.

4. Ask if you don’t understand

Don’t be ashamed to stop the conversation and pick up where you left off.. If you do not understand why the analyst has told you something or indicated some exercise or habit to put into practice, do not hesitate to ask him or her.

Ask for explanations in a respectful and correct manner and you will receive them in return. There is no point in making something like a machine without knowing what it is for.

5. Don’t hold back

If you feel like crying, cry. If you want to scream, scream. If you want to get angry, do it.. Let your feelings come out. Allow yourself to express them without controlling them. It’s time to let your emotions flow.

Don’t be afraid to express what you feel and say what happens to you. That’s why you’re doing therapy. Remember that psychologists have studied how to deal with difficult personalities and emotional imbalances. Avoiding keeping things in or repressing yourself is very good for the continuity of therapy.

6. Be honest with your therapist (and yourself)

It’s no use lying to the psychologist.. You are free to do so, of course, but the best thing for the satisfactory result of the therapy is that you behave in a mature and responsible manner towards the professional.

It’s all for your good, don’t forget it. This does not mean that you tell them all the details of your life or talk openly about your privacy, but it does mean that you answer their questions truthfully, for example.

7. Take advantage of every minute of the session

Don’t get lost and try to stay focusedAs we have said before, a psychologist’s office is a place where you can relax and let go, but where you also go with an objective.

The psychologist will do everything possible to direct the conversation towards something more important, let yourself be led there. Think that every minute you can talk about your problem is less time you need to solve it.

8. Don’t wait for the miracle

The process is step by step, little by little. Don’t want to advance or win any race, no one rushes you, enjoy the journey, therapy is not an ordeal, but a nice journey to go through.

9. Tell the therapist when you think “you are cured”

It is important that you set goals and when you achieve them, you talk to the professional.. If you feel better and want to take a break from treatment for a while, talk to your doctor about it.

Don’t leave without warning, don’t end a session saying this was the last time. Like everything, the process of stopping therapy can take several visits.

10. Be more proactive

The advice that the psychologist proposes must be carried out by you, in this way you will be able to see changes or improvements. If you don’t do anything to change the situation, going to therapy for one hour a week won’t be enough..

The therapy session will have no effect if you sit idly by. No therapy session works magic. Psychologists can offer us advice, tools, new perspectives. But, they can’t solve our problems for us. We are the ones who have to take action. Only then will each therapy session be worth it.

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