6 Questions Everybody Has Before Therapy

For many individuals considering therapy, there are more questions than answers about the way the process works. These common questions may help you feel more comfortable about attending your social skills training or therapy session.

1 - How do you find the right therapist?

Finding a therapist on the web is easy enough, but finding the right one is an entirely different story. You need to work with a therapist you get along with and feel comfortable talking to. Of course, you must also find a therapist who accepts your health insurance. It may be ridiculously difficult to get the combination of factors right the first time, and all too many therapy patients do not realize that they have other options. You may need to sit down with a few therapists before everything clicks together.

2 - What kind of therapy do you need?

There are several different types of therapy available. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on solving problems and treating issues like phobias, anxiety, and substance abuse. Psychoanalysis connects issues to childhood and unconscious desires.

3 - How often do you need to meet?

This answer depends entirely on the therapist's plan for your treatment. Typically, therapists and patients meet once each week or once every other week. In rare cases where an issue is particularly difficult to work through, therapists may ask to meet several times in the span of a week.

4 - What makes a therapist good?

Of course, therapists are people like you who have flaws. Still, you can find a good therapist who can help you through your own struggles if you know which traits to look for. Your therapist should be kind, but not too friendly. Your therapist should not talk much about their own personal life, overtly pass judgment, or touch you. You should feel comfortable when you speak with your therapist.

5 - How do you know it's time to find a new therapist?

You may find that it is time to "break up" with your therapist. If you are dissatisfied, you may need to tell your therapist that you don't feel a connection and that the plan just isn't working.

6 - Do you need to have a goal when you start therapy?

You do not have to begin therapy with a goal, but it is good to come to a session with some semblance of what you want to work on or talk about. You might want to talk about symptoms of a disorder you think you may have or discuss something that has happened that you want to share. You and your therapist may be able to work together on goals.

No matter where you stand in therapy, you should always feel proud of yourself for taking the initial steps to get started. Learning new social skills can be difficult, but it is certainly a worthwhile endeavor. To get started on your search, contact a company like BEHAVIOR CHANGE SUCCESS CORP.