Therapy can be a great way to work through problems and improve your overall well-being. But, if you want to make the most of your sessions, it is important to establish your needs, wants and expectations in advance. Before you begin therapy, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.
1. “What do I want to work on?”
Before going to your first therapy session, it is important to determine exactly which problems you would like to discuss and work on. Attempting to address too many things at once can be counterproductive. When you divide your time and focus in many directions, it is unlikely you will make any real progress on any of the things that are bothering you. Pick one or two of the things that are most important to you to focus on first.
Once you have determined what you would like to work on, figure out a way to succinctly express this to your therapist. Being able to clearly describe the primary issues in one or two sentences will help ensure you and your therapist are focused on the same task.
2. “What do I hope to get out of therapy?”
People go to therapy for a variety of reasons. Likewise, their expectations for what they want to get out of their sessions are also vastly different. Perhaps you want to work through a problem from your past and learn from these experiences. Or, you may be looking to learn coping techniques.
When you start attending therapy, you will want to have a vision of what you hope to get out of your sessions. By setting this expectation in the beginning, you will have a clear goal to work toward. You should let your therapist know what your expectations are. This will help you both work together to meet them.
3. “Am I ready for change?”
Therapy can offer a wide range of benefits that can help improve your mental, emotional and overall well-being. But, in order to make the most of these benefits, you will have to make some changes. You cannot expect to get different results by doing the same things you have already been doing. Change can be uncomfortable and awkward at first, but if you are ready to try something new, your efforts will be worth it.
Kayenta Therapy is Nevada’s largest private counseling center and has been providing therapy for over 10 years. Browse our therapists to find the one that’s right for you.
