Therapy has definitely helped numerous individuals attain their goals and objectives, but more than this, it has helped those who have difficulties processing their emotions and feelings or dealing with complex issues. But therapy is not just a one-time thing – you don’t go through a therapy session and experience healing and understanding right away. The entire process can take weeks and sometimes months before you can see significant results. The key with therapy is that you have to consider both your short- and long-term goals and see if there is an improvementin both. But if you are going through therapy, how can you really determine if your counseling or therapy is effective? Let’s find out.
Your gut instinct
When you are starting to build a relationship with your therapist or psychologist, you will have to consider the chemistry you have with that professional. In other words, what does your gut instinct tell you? Do you feel comfortable with your therapist, and do you have a feeling of satisfaction whenever you have a session with them? Of course, you may feel instances of discomfort, particularly when you have to discuss painful emotions or feelings, but overall, you should feel satisfied with your sessions and where they are taking you. Remember that there’s no use trying to ‘tough it out’ with the wrong professional; if you don’t feel comfortable or at ease with them, then it may be time to find another professional who can help you.
You notice an improvement in your symptoms
If the therapy is working, then you will also notice an improvement in your own behaviors and feelings. Therapy, for most of us, is a way of helping us cope with our problems, but it is also effective at helping people deal with deeper mental health issues. If you feel depressed, anxious, stressed, and worn out, therapy can help you. And one way to know if therapy is helping you is when psychosomatic symptoms (like insomnia or sleep deprivation, nausea, or fatigue) have improved as well. If your symptoms are not psychosomatic (when you lack interest in things that previously excited or interested you or when you have issues with your mood), take a look back and think about how your week has been. Your therapist can help you deal with and talk about it as well.
You are changing rather than venting
Venting is always good for anyone; there is a sense of relief when we are able to voice our feelings and opinions about things that concern us, and this is undoubtedly something that experts in therapy McHenry offers from the Lodestone Center know full well. But venting can only go so far – you can vent to your friend or family member, for instance, but this doesn’t change you. Real therapy is venting but experiencing change as well. If you feel that you are changing in terms of attitude, outlook, and so on, then you may be experiencing progress in your therapy and counseling as this means that you are slowly addressing the root causes of your problems and you are also changing or transforming negative behaviors or beliefs.
A therapist or psychologist will not just help you deal with your problems – they can also help you deal with challenging situations or circumstances with techniques that you can practice if you feel particularly anxious or distressed.
Authored by: Clinical Staff Contributor
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