A lot of people get curious when they hear about others’ great experience with therapy, or when they’re overwhelmed and have tried everything but nothing is changing. If you’ve never been to therapy, or you’ve been before but it wasn’t the best experience, this post is for you. Here’s what you need to know about going to therapy.
Fit is everything. If you and your therapist are not a good fit you won’t get very far and you are going to waste time and money. Most therapists offer a free initial consultation to help determine fit. These consults are quick but give you an idea of what it’s like to work with that person. Most people know if it’s a good fit by the end of the consult call, and definitely by the end of the first session if you choose to book an appointment. If it’s not a good fit there is nothing wrong with finding a different therapist.
Therapy is an investment of time and money, and it works. If you come in ready to figure things out and do some work, you will see results. Therapy can transform you and in turn will affect your relationships, but it isn’t a magic bullet or a quick-fix. Much like going to the gym or learning a new skill, you will only get out of therapy what you are willing to put in.
Maybe you’ve been to therapy before and it was a great experience. Life was better, you figured some shit out, overcame some things. And now they’re back, but different. This is NOT unusual. It’s completely normal (and healthy) to go to therapy at different points in your life because every time you level up you’ve got to do the work...not the same work, but a different version of it. We all deal with some of the same issues throughout our lives, but they present differently depending on where we are, so we recognize and treat them differently.
It’s common for things to get worse before they get better. This happens because in therapy we look at things we haven’t seen before, or have been unwilling to look at previously. This can be uncomfortable and even painful at times, but is necessary for growth. Once you know what you are dealing with (patterns, beliefs, experiences, etc) – then you can do something about it.
How long you’re in therapy depends on several things. It depends on what you’re working through, what your goals are, and what you want. Some people like to come into therapy for 6-12 months to really workshop a particular issue, some people like to come from years because they like the support and continual growth. Therapy is highly individualized therefore the duration and frequency is individualized, much like working with a personal trainer at a gym. Some people love to work with the same therapist for years, and others may see different therapists at different points in their life four different issues. Again, it comes down to individual preference and needs.
Last but not least…who should go to therapy? Therapy isn’t just for people who are “really messed up” - it’s for anyone that wants something in their life to be different. Anyone overwhelmed, or tired of the same things happening all the time. Anyone feeling stuck. Anyone struggling with fear, anxiety, insecurity, feeling stagnant, having issues in their relationship, life changes…are you sensing a theme yet? trick question: the answer is anyone. And everyone.
DISCLAIMER: This website is for educational and entertainment purposes only; it is not therapy and is not a replacement for therapy. Reading this website does not constitute a provider-client relationship. Consult your licensed physician or licensed mental health provider regarding advice, questions and support for your mental health. Information found on this website should be used only in conjunction with working with a licensed mental health professional or physician. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 or 988. Nothing found on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional, psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Denver Therapy LLC and Ashley French, LPC assume no liability for an actions taken or decisions made in reliance upon, or in response to information contained on this website. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
