The word “therapy,” originating from the Greek word “therapeia” meaning “healing” conjures up a multitude of images from the advice-spouting of Charlie Brown’s Lucy in her psychiatry booth to the thought-provoking psychoanalytic support of Robin Williams in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting. In good therapy the underlying truth remains: it is a relationship where a person can come as they are, learn and reveal their true self in a safe space, and find healing in regards to symptoms, behaviors, thoughts, and emotions with the help of a counseling guide.
Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is the most commonly used form of counseling for mental wellness and this can include multiple subsets of therapeutic intervention. Insight-oriented therapy will focus on emotions, childhood experiences, or relationships and behavioral therapy will focus on patterns of interacting with yourself and the world. Cognitive therapy will focus on thoughts and somatic therapies such as mindfulness may focus on what sensations are happening inside your body. Many therapists are trained in multiple approaches allowing for an integration of skills to meet needs as they arise.
Each therapy should begin with goal-setting as it is important for the focus of the care to remain aligned with the needs of the client. Goals may vary- perhaps someone is wanting to learn how to cope with or treat symptoms of panic attacks, learn a new way of advocating for himself in a work environment, minimize racing thoughts, have a safe space to talk about the week’s events, come to a decision about a major life event, discuss feelings of sadness and isolation, or process grief after a traumatic event or loss of a loved one. Each goal is just as important as another, each person has needs that deserve to be honored. It is important to note too that therapy can exist to treat a specific set of symptoms (known as a diagnosis) or not- it is available to everyone. Communicating our needs, thoughts, emotions and behaviors is human and natural- therapy is a venue in which this can happen in confidence, safety, and with empathy.
Equally important to goal-setting is having a conversation about how the therapist and client would know if and when the goal is met. This helps to indicate when therapy would end or when it could be time to transition to another goal. You may know a goal is met when a specific event comes to pass, your mood is improved (which can be measured objectively with the use of mood-tracking tools) or a symptom is resolved. Checking in regularly regarding progress toward the goal can be an important barometer for success in therapy.
Therapeutic sessions range in frequency and duration depending on client needs, finances and other matters of coordination, and therapist availability. Choosing what is best for you is most important however it may be helpful to plan the first few visits somewhat close together in order to build rapport and talk through any history that may be relevant to your goal. Therapy may be offered to adult, adolescent, and child individuals, couples, families, or groups and choosing which mode of therapy would be best would depend on the goal at hand. Time spent with a therapist will likely include a client describing their experience related to their goal, a therapist actively listening and providing probing questions to allow the client to see their problem or search for a solution in a new way, a therapist introducing or practicing a skill to treat a symptom, joint problem-solving around conflict or a decision, and observing the manner in which needs and thoughts are communicated in session as a source of insight for what may occur outside a session. In addition, therapy may, at times, be enriched with the use of “homework”- practicing a specific skill, recording a symptom or trying an intervention on your own.
Finding a therapist that is a good fit for you is worth the time and energy it may take. It is important that a client feels comfortable and well-supported in a therapeutic relationship- after all, your therapist is the person with whom you may be sharing some of your most closely-held thoughts and emotions. A therapist should demonstrate good listening skills, an ability to keep the conversation directed on you and moving forward, a manner that is comfortable, empathetic, and engaging, and openness about business aspects of the relationship- from confidentiality agreements to finances. In addition, a therapist should be able to demonstrate to you that their skills are well-aligned with your goals and they are operating at all times within the scope of their expertise. As a consumer, please remember that this space is for you and caring for your needs is primary; a therapist will understand if you decide to utilize other services instead of theirs.
In all its iterations, therapy is a tool for which to uncover your best self and best life. It is intended to help, make whole, redeem, and reinforce the inherent worth of a person and their circumstances. It has sadly held some social stigma however can truly be a beautiful space of healing for all who take the brave step of leaning in to the messy and difficult and dare to hope that they can find wholeness.
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