What to talk about in therapy? – GOOD SHAPE

There has been so much talk about mental health that the idea of ​​looking for a therapist or psychologist seems very tempting. However, you are faced with a question: what to talk about in therapy?

In case you’ve ever been in doubt about this, don’t worry: this is a fairly common concern. However, therapy is simpler – and much less scary! – than it seems. Let’s understand better about the subject below.

WHAT TO TALK ABOUT IN THERAPY?

Okay, we already understand what therapy is for, but that doesn’t take away the doubt about what to talk about during the session. In most cases, patients already arrive with a subject in mind to talk about – an issue at work, with the family, in their love relationship… -, and this topic is explored together with the therapist. In cognitive therapy, these are called “therapeutic goals”.

“We, from cognitive therapy, have a more directive model and we do that, we direct and create objectives. There are models of psychotherapy in which the conversation can be completely free, such as psychoanalysis,” says Daniela Faertes, a psychologist specializing in cognitive therapy and changing harmful behaviors.

That is, there is no “right or wrong” when the subject is the subject of your conversation with the mental health professional. All subjects are released, what changes is the approach and direction regarding this issue.

“The very movement of seeking therapy and going weekly is already therapeutic in itself, as it is already an emotional openness to change”, continues Daniela. “Having a neutral space, without speech judgment, this is essential. What we feel, many times, we cannot talk to family members and in therapy there is this space. The search itself and then going to therapy is already an opening to the process of change, be it behavioral or emotional.”

Therapy is a place where what is socially unspoken is said. Therefore, there are no subjects that cannot be explored in the therapist’s room – even if it’s virtual!

Still, there are subjects that are more common and, if in doubt, you can choose one of them to analyze with your therapist or psychologist. A good marker is the uncomfortable feelings that a topic arouses, for example, anger towards a parent or a boss.

love relationships
family relationships
professional relationships
Love or family disappointments
Disappointments regarding specific situations
Loss or grieving processes
Deep sadness or demotivation beyond normal
Deep professional dissatisfaction
Dissatisfaction with life in general

“The topic of relationships is the main one”, says Daniela. “It is interesting to observe that some people go directly to this topic or end up coming to this question, identifying a difficulty. It’s where people tend to have the most grief about. Of course, there are other types of suffering – such as job loss -, but the greatest source of suffering is relationships, attachments, rejections, abandonments, disagreements, fights… So, this is usually the main job.”

WHAT IS THE THERAPY FOR?

“Therapy has a huge range of issues that it can work on,” he explains. The psychologist. “They range from self-knowledge to working on self-esteem, anxiety, stress, relationship conflicts, physical and psychosomatic issues, pain, helping the person to prepare for or deal with a situation.”

Not only that, but the therapy also helps that person to become aware and change attitudes and behaviors that are being harmful to him, and it can still work together with specific medications in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, like depression.

“The therapy also helps the person to see the world differently”, he continues. “We assume that a good part of suffering has to do with the way situations are seen. This does not mean that it is necessary to see everything in a positive way – even because this view is dangerous –, but therapy helps to see the world through more realistic lenses.”

In summary: the function of therapy is, mainly, to help patients acquire a functional and healthy view of life, being a solution for pessimistic and mistaken views, often the result of a childhood filled with beliefs that led to a distorted view.

“It is very difficult for someone to regret going to therapy. In fact, even if she did not want to start treatment, it is unlikely to provide any benefit to the person”, he continues.