Starting Therapy

Starting therapy doesn't have to be intimidating

By: Melissa Tijerino

What is Therapy?

Therapy, also referred to as psychotherapy, counseling, or talk therapy is aimed to help people of all ages tackle troubling emotions, stressful life events and live healthier and happier lives

Usually, therapy involves visiting with a mental health professional one-on-one, whether they prefer telehealth or in person sessions

Starting therapy is a personal decision and is personalized to your schedule and environment that works best for you and your needs

Therapy is not a one size fits all, everyone’s reasons for seeking therapy is different. Some people prefer to go on a weekly or every other day basis, while others only attend a few sessions

Ultimately and most importantly, if you feel like you need to talk to someone, or you’re having trouble overcoming difficulties in your life, this is the time to start therapy!

Honesty is Key

It’s important to be honest with not only your therapist but with yourself, having clear communication and a secure level of trust allows therapy to work more effectively and efficiently. The more your therapist has to work with, the more they can help!

Try and express your feelings and symptoms in detail, don’t forget to include severity and frequency

You can be sure that your therapy sessions are a non-judgement zone, so make sure you remain as open and honest as possible. As the therapeutic alliance grows stronger your trust in your own therapeutic process grows as well

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, this is YOUR session, this includes openly discussing your goals with your therapist. Ask yourself “What result do I want out of therapy?”

Your therapist will also have some questions for you during your initial intake session, mainly just basic demographic information and your reason for seeking therapy. Remember, be honest!

A strong relationship with your mental health professional depends on how strong your communication is with them, get to know what type of clients they normally work with and testimonials of success stories they’ve helped contribute too with their services

Practice Patience

Therapy is a process, not a one fix stop and it’s important to keep this in mind when you’re about to complete your first session

If you feel the same, overwhelmed or worse, don’t worry! This is completely normal. It usually takes several sessions to develop a bond and comfortability with your therapist as well as working through your own personal thoughts and feelings.

Trust the process, your therapist and yourself. Focusing on the task at hand will ultimately set you up for success throughout this new experience

Hope is Here

Hope is truly at the heart of therapy

You can start your journey to wellness by scheduling your first appointment with Alex Dixon, your path to healing and growth starts today!

Feel confident that you can feel better, live happier and navigate your way to success.

By reaching out for support, you’ve taken a crucial and meaningful step you’ve been looking for in your life!