{3:24 minutes to read} You have found yourself at a crossroad in life brought about by circumstances, situation, or age. Either life has placed you in the middle of something that is beyond your control or you are experiencing an inner conflict and your own voice of reason has not been enough to help you resolve it. It’s time for a change — and therapy is the avenue that will bring you to the place you desire.
You choose a therapist, most likely one close to home, that has experience with the areas in which you need help. Now the question arises: how can you get the most from this therapy?
1. Realize your mental health will need more than a weekly session to truly change. Be prepared to do some work on your own.
2. Be prepared with a notebook, pen, and folder.
3. Be open-minded. Remember, you came to therapy for help.
4. Be willing to change, do the work, and let go of some old habits.
5. Have a list of things you want to discuss with the therapist, in order of importance. Manage your time so that you go through at least the top three items on your list.
6. Take notes as you gain insight.
7. Dare to be honest! Therapy is a partnership between you and a trusted professional. Therapists only know what you tell them. Trust them to hold your truths and secrets. Remember they are trained to offer support, not judgment.
8. Ask for homework. You should be thinking about your mental health with practical constructs to help you achieve your needed outcomes.
9. Practice changing thought patterns; as a result, your behavior will change.
10. Remember change doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t grow weary in the process. Success happens through hard work over time. Persistence and effort will yield the outcome you are seeking.
In conclusion, I have seen many people in my years of practice:
• Some want to change but are not able to commit to the process.
• Some gain understanding and insight but are not able to surrender to the process.
• Some roll up their sleeves, put in the hard work, and do the things listed above. They literally change the way they think and behave.
If you have found yourself at that crossroad in life, the choice to do something about it is yours. Be brave. Accept that it will take hard work. Be willing to do that work. In the end, you will have made one of the best decisions of your life!
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