By applying the principles in this article, concerns over the number of therapy sessions and the disclosure of secrets should no longer be a problem. These guidelines will help you benefit quickly and easily by minimizing the number of sessions and maximizing the effectiveness of your sessions.
Motivation to solve your problem is crucial. Optimal results are accomplished when you are willing to make a change in the patterns of your life which have created your current situation.
Emotional Maturity is an absolute necessity. Low Maturity usually causes people to play the “blame game” or bury secrets. Treatment involves breaking these patterns to develop emotional maturity which will help you cope with and prevent these issues.
Be open with information. A good therapist knows that there is more beneath the surface than the stated problem. The stated problem is usually a symptom of a deeper, underlying issue. Meaningful results come from treating the underlying issues which prompted the problem. Don’t hold back! In order to identify the fundamental problems, you need to be as open as possible. “What you don’t know won’t hurt you” is a common phrase and a harmful fallacy. Similarly, what you don’t tell your therapist will continue to hurt you, as you will keep the harmful patterns in your life.
Have a Goal: If you are uncertain of goal/goals for your treatment, your counselor will work with you to determine goal/goals. Instead of seeking “symptom reduction” which results in only a temporary boost in well-being, you can further benefit by completing treatment. Lasting treatment comes from working with your therapist to develop healthy coping mechanisms for a positive change in your life.
Be ready to take advice. When certain (unhealthy) patterns of behavior have become normal, it can be unfamiliar, and even frightening to make a change. Disagreeing with a therapist’s advice is common—especially when emotional maturity is still developing. Making a drastic, short term positive change, only to revert to previous patterns (the emotional version of yo-yo dieting) is also common. These behaviors are damaging to your long-term well-being. Therapists suggest a course of treatment to your benefit based on advanced training and a wealth of knowledge.
Your positive change doesn’t have to be difficult or take a long time. With treatment, your therapist will help you find the best way to make a positive transition and establish healthy coping methods to improve your life. Call CrossRoads for counseling in the Central Indiana area at 317-842-8881.