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5 Common Fears About Therapy

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Is it okay if I want my therapist to like me?

It is normal for people to want to be liked, but if you are filtering your responses in your sessions in order to get your therapist to like you or approve of you, then you are not using your time and money wisely.   You are paying your therapist to be there for you in the sessions.  You are supposed to be the center of attention in your sessions and some of what you need to talk about may not place you in your best light.  This is one of the major differences between talking to a therapist and talking to a friend: your friends need to still like you when the conversation is over and your therapist is paid to help you navigate difficult situations so that you can find resolutions within yourself.

  1. How can I tell if I am being honest in therapy?

The first question to answer is whether or not you are able to be honest with yourself.   If you find it difficult to self-reflect and pull the truth out of those reflections, then that is exactly where you need to begin in your therapy sessions.  If you are worried about how your therapist will respond to you or feel about you, then you may be filtering your responses in the sessions.   Honesty and the ability to be forthcoming are two of the most important aspects of a successful therapeutic experience.

  1. Does my therapist really care about me?

The vast majority of therapists choose the field of psychotherapy because they genuinely care about people and their well-being.   Your therapist is not a part of your life in any other capacity, so s/he is not personally affected by your choices.  This gives you the freedom to truly be yourself so that you can take risks and challenge yourself without fear of disappointing anyone.

  1. What do I do if my therapist says something that feels off?

Absolutely say something as soon as you are aware that something feels off.  Your therapist is trying to understand where you are coming from and in that effort, they may put pieces together in a way that does not fit for you.  When that happens, you need to say something so that your therapist can keep working until those pieces actually fit.  Your therapist is not trying to be right all of the time, but is trying to learn about you so that you get the most benefit from the sessions.   A good therapist is never upset about being wrong, rather s/he will see the error as an opportunity to regroup and try again.  This can be excellent role modeling of an important life skill.

  1. Am I wasting my therapist’s time?

Late cancellations and no-shows are a waste of a therapist’s time.  When you make and keep your appointments and do whatever work needs to be done between your appointments, you will not waste your therapist’s time.   Most people get stuck in therapy at different times and they may feel like they are recycling the same complaints and the same woes week after week.  When that happens, say something to your therapist if your therapist has not already brought it up.  There is a reason that you are stuck and it may take some time to figure out what that reason is.  Your therapist is there to help you figure out what that reason is and if you are truly at an impasse in therapy, then you and your therapist may need to have a conversation about that.  Please do not unilaterally make that decision without talking to your therapist first.

Top 10 Reasons Why Couple’s Counseling Does Not Work

  1. One person in the relationship is already done.
  2. The couple comes into counseling with the goal of “proving” why the other person is responsible for the conflict.
  3. The couple is not upfront about extra-marital relationships even if those relationships are not yet physical in nature.
  4. The couple does not do the therapeutic work between sessions. Some therapists give outright homework assignments while others may say things like, “pay attention to …” or “consider replacing … with ….”
  5. The couple waits until the session to unload on the other person.
  6. The couple does not want to look inside of themselves to see their individual contributions to the discord.
  7. The couple does not create space for the other person to change.
  8. The couple does not allow for “human error” in the partner.
  9. The couple wants to hurry up and get past the main problems.
  10. The couple inconsistently attends therapy and /or only makes appointments when they are in crisis.

Kids with ADHD must squirm to learn

Most of us were taught to sit still when we were in school and we were often reprimanded when we disobeyed that rule.  ADHD has become a household term, but what do we really know about it?  Children and adults with ADHD are not debilitated and should not be treated as though there is something wrong with them.  Are there steps that we can take to help people with ADHD find success?  Absolutely!

Read more here: Kids with ADHD must squirm to learn, study says

How to Deal with Moody Teenagers

It is typical for parents who call the office to schedule an appointment for their adolescent to express extreme frustration.  Parents will often say that they have tried everything and their child will not talk to them.  They are often concerned about being able to get their child to agree to come into therapy.  Most adolescents want to know that an adult is willing and able to understand how deeply wounded they feel.

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Is Fear Calling the Shots?

Fear can be one of the most debilitating of all human emotions.  Fear keeps us from moving forward even when we are moving towards something positive.  Although fear is unavoidable, there are steps we can take to keep it from holding us back.

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What to Do When You Hate Your Partner’s Pet

One of the most common areas of contention for couples is the tendency for people in a relationship to stop listening and start assuming.  Assumptions can not only cause arguments, but can also cause unwanted stress on others around them, including pets.  Pets under stress can exhibit challenging behaviors that only add to the stress the couple was already experiencing.

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5 Common Fears About Therapy

            Is it okay if I want my therapist to like me? It is normal for people to want to …

Top 10 Reasons Why Couple’s Counseling Does Not Work

One person in the relationship is already done. The couple comes into counseling with the goal of “proving” why the other …

Yoga and chronic pain have opposite effects on brain gray matter — ScienceDaily

Chronic pain is known to cause brain anatomy changes and impairments, but yoga can be an important tool for preventing or …