Success message
Error message
Therapy is a collaborative process, and your active participation is key to making it effective. Here’s how we can work together to ensure you get the most out of our sessions:
It's important that we're on the same page. If you come into therapy expecting to delve deep into your past, but my approach is more focused on the present, we need to talk about that. Similarly, if you have ideas about how long or how often we'll meet, please share them. Open communication about your expectations helps us align our efforts and avoid frustration.
A little social conversation at the beginning of a session can be helpful, but if you find yourself spending a lot of time on incidental topics or just reporting on daily events, you might be avoiding deeper issues.
Often, what we hesitate to bring up is the most important. If something feels embarrassing, or if you need reassurance from me to feel safe, let's discuss it.
Remember, feeling safe isn't always the same as feeling comfortable. Sometimes, growth requires stepping outside our comfort zone. It takes courage to talk about painful or shameful things. Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's feeling the fear and choosing not to let it stop you.
Our therapy session is a time for you to be authentic. Occasionally, I might say or do something that causes you to feel hurt or annoyed (never intentionally, of course!). Many of us have learned to suppress these feelings to take care of others, but please don't do that here. If you're feeling something, you're free to express it. You truly get out of therapy what you put into it, so speak what's on your mind. Try to replace judgment (of yourself or others) with curiosity.
Some people believe they shouldn't voice worries or objections to their therapist's suggestions. However, a free and frank discussion about any misgivings you have helps me address your concerns and make adjustments to ensure a higher likelihood of success. Your feedback is invaluable.
If you have questions about me or what we're doing, please ask. If something is out of bounds, I'll let you know. I want you to be an informed and engaged participant in your own process.