How many therapists does it take to change a lightbulb?

Only one but the lightbulb has to want to change!

 

Starting point

 To acknowledge the fact that some things need changing or that there is a problem, is really the starting point from where therapy can begin. While therapy can work wonders, therapists aren’t magicians. Therapy is a two-way street. Efforts are required from both ends to create those wonders people talk about. As a client then, the first step really is just to come to terms with the idea of change. Change is uncomfortable but accepting that it is going to be uncomfortable really makes the discomfort easier to handle. In a case wherein the client is reluctant or is forcefully brought in by a relative, there is very little a therapist can do to help.

 

Key ingredients

 Once you have reached the point of acceptance and are willing to take on the challenge of changing, you will find yourself sitting across from your therapist trying to unravel many jumbled thoughts and feelings. While merely unloading all of the weight you have been carrying around (knowingly or unknowingly) can provide a sense of relief, it doesn’t change circumstances. For things to change and become better, active participation and patience are required. 

 It is most likely that what you are going through is not something that has occurred overnight. Hence, for any sort of change to reflect, it will take time as first there might be need for some undoing before you can learn new, healthy ways of coping. And when things do start changing for the better, be sure to recognise and celebrate. Every small change is a stepping stone towards your growth.

 

Finding answers

 No two people are the same. Each client walks in with a unique background and set of experiences. Hence, you and your therapist will work together to find out what works best for you and what will help you grow in your circumstances. It is natural to have questions and doubts along the way but it is important to remember that there are no readymade answers. The role of a therapist is not that of an advisor. Rather, the role of a therapist is more of that of a facilitator and a sounding board.

 

Direction and destination

 Therapy might feel like merely talking to another person but that is not the case. Your therapist is a trained professional who uses evidence based techniques to nudge you towards growth. What really sets therapy apart from a casual conversation is therapy goals.

And while some clients may come into therapy knowing exactly where they want to end up, others may have no clue at all. Either way once it is established what the issue at hand is, the therapist and client mutually decide goals and draw a road map to what it might take to reach their destination. Therapy goals also allow both the therapist and client to measure and evaluate progress over time.

 

Therapy is a journey. A journey where your therapist is holding the torch for you to be able to see the road ahead. Some days  you might cover a lot of distance. Some days it might be difficult to take a few steps ahead. Some days you might have to go back and revisit places in the past. Some days you may choose to spend more time and take in the place where you are. Trust the process, for with every session the path becomes clearer and you are taking a step closer to where you want to be.