Adapted from Dr. David Burns
We understand that therapy can sometimes be challenging
People often report that unburdening their emotions and past experiences in the first few sessions is relieving. However, therapy often uncovers deeper issues. Opening up and getting to the heart of these concerns takes patience, persistent effort, and fostering a positive relationship with your counsellor. It takes time to build a strong therapeutic bond and rapport, and this is essential in creating the trust necessary to go to those deeper places where real change takes place.
Consistency will help you reach your goals
If you wanted to improve your fitness and saw your physical trainer once every three months, you probably wouldn’t be surprised when you didn’t see the results you wanted. Similarly, therapy needs commitment and consistency to work through your concerns and be effective. Of course, your counsellor understands there are many demands on your time and resources. By collaborating with your counsellor, you can create a reasonable plan that balances your commitment to your wellbeing with all your other commitments. This is also why sometimes your therapist may assign you homework or other types of activities to practice between sessions.
Providing feedback will help your counsellor know what is/isn’t working for you
Counsellors strive to build positive, non-judgmental, and compassionate therapeutic relationships, understanding this is beneficial for you and the therapeutic process. Despite this emotional and professional commitment, challenges in therapy can sometimes break down open communication and hinder the process. Providing feedback allows your counsellor to understand what has happened and work to repair any concerns you may have. A great therapist will provide a feedback form that can be filled out at the end of each session. Here you can let your therapist know what you liked best in the session, what you liked the least, and if there were things you had hoped to discuss that may have been missed. This allows your therapist to constantly adjust and better hone their skills to your needs.
Mutually agreeing to end therapy when you are ready
When you and your counsellor recognize you are ready to move on, it can be exciting for both of you. In order to ensure you finish on a positive note, your counsellor will help you plan how to maintain your progress and what to do if you encounter concerns again. You have a fresh start, and your counsellor will be there in the future if needed.
Sometimes clients end therapy without talking with their counsellor, leaving their counsellor to wonder what happened. Not only can this make it more difficult for clients to maintain progress, but they may also feel they have lost a potential future support. If the counsellor can’t reach the client, it also leaves the counsellor wondering what happened. Did my client feel enough progress had already been made? Did something go wrong? Did I say or do something that upset my client? Counsellors invest emotionally and professionally in the therapeutic relationship and appreciate feedback that lets them know what is happening. Your counsellor will always strive to treat you and your decisions with compassion and respect. In return, you can help your counsellor by communicating any concerns and showing that you understand they deserve compassion and respect too.
