How to get the most out of therapy

Personal therapy is a huge investment. It’s an investment of money and time, but it’s worth it when you desire to grow. In my time as a therapist, I have had such great pleasure in watching people grow and become emotionally healthier. I have noticed that my clients that make the most sustainable change and reach their therapy goals, have a few practices in common.

The first big practice in getting the most out of therapy, is being consistent. I truly believe that my biggest tool in the room as a therapist, is my relationship with my clients. When a client trusts me and my guidance, and I have a deep understanding of my client, I am able to challenge them in ways that are gentle but help them to see themselves more clearly. That kind of therapeutic relationship is developed through consistency. If you can afford to see your therapist on a weekly basis for a couple months, I highly recommend it.

The second big practice might be a little more obvious but its worth mentioning. Be vulnerable. Share honestly with your therapist. There have been times where I thought I knew a client really well and then they share something that feels like a truth bomb 4 months into our time together. I appreciate those moments because I know it means that client was working up to trusting me. However, I have seen it get in the way of a lot of growth and healing.

The last practice that will help you to get the most out of therapy, is being teachable. This word has been buzzing around a lot in my church lately and I have kind of adapted it into how I conceptialize my clients. I have spent time wondering about what makes some clients successful in their therapeutic goals and what makes others not. The first 2 practices mentioned are so important, but being teachable is probably the most impactful quality and practice when it comes to therapy. If you remain teachable your therapist can show you things about yourself that can provoke deep transformation. When clients resist this and don’t come into therapy believing they have something to learn, progress will hit a wall. Its when couples therapy can become more hurtful than helpful, and its when clients tend to give up on therapy all together.

If you think you have one of these practices down but not the others, I encourage you to press in. Challenge yourself to be consistent, vulnerable and teachable in your therapy and you may be surprised of how much more growth you were capable of.