How to get the most out of therapy

Unlike going to a doctor who can give you a pill to take away your pain, therapy is collaborative and requires your full participation.

Here are some ingredients of successful therapy:

You must be willing to come to therapy. If you are coming because your partner or mother told you to, you will most likely drop out.
You must be ready to change.
You must value the therapy and be willing to pay for it. If you think $200 is expensive but you have no problem spending that on theatre tickets, then you do not see the worth of therapy yet.
You must be committed to the relationship and not miss appointments.
You should come on time so that every minute is seen as valuable. It is your time, and it is more about not respecting yourself than not respecting the therapist if you are late.
You must be willing to put in the effort. If your therapist gives you homework, then do it.
Be opened to sharing your experience of the therapy. If you do not like something your therapist has asked you to do, say so.
Do not leave suddenly because you are angry with your therapist. As this is a collaborative process, tell your therapist why you are angry. Some of the best learning happens in these open discussions.
End properly, with a last session which gives closure. If you just do not go back, you may have unfinished business which adds to your woes.

Therapy is not magic nor is a therapist a magician. However, with a therapist’s skills and your collaboration, you could change your life for the better. Here at Anxiety Solutions CBT we have a range of experienced Clinical Psychologists, Registered Psychologists and Psychotherapists who are warm, empathetic and experienced. Please contact us or call us now on 02 93258 5899 to learn more and book an appointment.

By Renee Mill|2022-07-11T14:13:36+10:00February 2nd, 2022|Therapy and Therapists|

About the Author: Renee Mill

Renee Mill -- Anxiety Solutions CBT Director, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Supervisor and Best Selling Author -- has counseled hundreds of individuals, couples and families for over 30 years. She cares deeply about her clients and has created a warm and safe environment for all thrive. Renee has worked intensely on creating a new technique for dealing with generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, fear of public speaking, performance anxiety and panic attacks. Renee’s other key areas of interest are depression, relationships and couple therapy, self-worth, parenting, resilience and well-being. Renee has published 3 best selling books and lectured in Australia, China, Israel, the United States and South Africa. She is well known on the speaker’s circuit and is often called upon by the media for her professional opinion. To hear Renee’s interviews or read her articles have a look at our Media Section.