The Not-So-Secret-Secret
I’m going to let you in on a secret. Your therapist knows it, too, but they might not have told you yet. I’m going to tell you how to get the most out of therapy. Here’s what your therapist wishes you knew.
As an online therapist and life coach, I’m a huge fan of talk therapy. Talking things through, whether it be in-person or online therapy, is a great way to get some stress off your shoulders, and get some clarity if you’re in a foggy place. You should be able to feel honest and secure when communicating with your therapist. It’s not always selfish to talk about yourself! But just talking about things in therapy won’t change your life–until you begin applying the things you learn in therapy to your life outside of your sessions.
Your Therapist Wishes You Knew that Therapy is a Process
Therapy is a process. It takes time, energy, and hard work to build that inner strength. Look at it this way–if you wanted to lose weight, you could go to a nutritionist, but you won’t actually lose any weight until you put their advice into action (nutrition and mood go hand-in-hand; if your diet needs some work, seeing a nutritionist may not be a bad idea!). Likewise, if you want to improve your mental and emotional health, you might see a life coach, but the bike in your mind won’t go anywhere until you start pedaling.
Your Therapist Wants to See You Become Your Best Self
They want you to be able to love yourself unconditionally. But they can’t make it happen on their own–they need your help!
Consulting a therapist or life coach for personal growth is really not dissimilar to going back to school. You may not like the sound of it, but one of the best ways to improve your emotional intelligence is to do your therapy homework. Therapy homework is the vessel through which we turn all that talk I mentioned earlier into action. If your therapist isn’t currently giving you homework, don’t be shy to ask. But remember, everyone learns differently. If you have tried therapy homework and it didn’t work for you, don’t beat yourself up. You tried, and that’s what matters.
And that’s the secret your therapist wishes you knew. It seems so obvious now that I’ve pointed it out, doesn’t it? As always, if you’d like more love, happiness, and success tips, feel free to visit my Facebook page, or peruse more of our wonderful articles here at Growing Self.
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Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified coach, AAMFT clinical supervisor, host of the Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast and founder of Growing Self.
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What is Therapy Like?
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What Kind of Therapist Do I Need?
There are many different kinds of therapists and many different types of therapy. What kind of therapist do you need? Find out!
What To Talk About in Therapy
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Therapy Consultation: What to Expect
How to prepare for your first therapy appointment, and learn what to expect in therapy sessions.
Coaching vs Therapy
What’s the difference between coaching and therapy? Find out which approach is right for you.
What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the “gold-standard” of effective, evidence-based therapy. Learn about CBT.
What is Talk Therapy?
How does talking about something help you make changes? Or… does it? Learn the pros and cons of traditional talk therapy.
Why Evidence-Based Therapy Matters
Effective therapy is life-changing, but some therapy is a waste of time and money. Evidence-based therapy makes the difference.
How to Find a (Good) Therapist
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Therapy For Healthy Relationships
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Learn about our approach to helping you build healthy relationships.
Guide to Online Therapy
Online therapy is just as effective but even easier than in person therapy. Here’s what to expect from good online therapy.
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Good therapy is priceless, but not all therapy is valuable. Learn the cost of therapy that’s affordable and effective.
Does Insurance Cover Therapy?
Yes, insurance covers therapy… but only sometimes. Learn when (and how) health insurance covers therapy, and when it doesn’t.
Help Someone Get Help
If you have a loved one who is struggling in their relationship, you can help them get help by “gifting” therapy. Here’s how…
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