I Wish my Therapist Would…
Often when I meet with a new client during our consultation call I am asked, “What is your approach, what will our sessions look like?”. Although I am happy to discuss my approach, my training and experience history and answer any questions, I am often much more interested in what you would like our sessions to look like.
In November I wrote a blog titled, 5 Gifts You Can Give Yourself Through Therapy, and these “gifts” still stand. However, this blog will encourage you to think about what you want in a therapist.
I wish my therapist would…
Provide structure to our sessions.
Help me build skills to deal with my problems.
Assign weekly “homework” that I can practice week to week.
Lead the conversation when I don’t know what to talk about.
Push me to discuss topics I am uncomfortable with.
Challenge my thoughts and feelings.
Focus on our relationship and level of trust.
Explain therapy techniques and verbiage.
Dive into my history, childhood experiences and relationships.
Reflect my feelings and thoughts back to me.
Show empathy, compassion and gentleness.
Be supportive of my choices even when they disagree.
Acknowledge my beliefs and views.
All of these actions are things you can ask for and identify to your therapist from the very beginning.
Yes, we are trained and have many different skill sets and many of these actions come very naturally to therapists. However, just like you, we are also human and unfortunately cannot read your mind. While we are able to help you identify goals and problems, you are the expert of you. This is a skill set in itself, asking for your needs to be met. While searching for a therapist, I encourage you to ask yourself, what do I want from therapy, what would make me feel the most comfortable. Other things to consider would include preferences of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion etc.
You are allowed to seek the fit that best suits you.
If you would like to discuss your needs with one of our therapists at Feeling and Healing Therapy, contact us to schedule your consultation call.