What might be different after psychotherapy?
In both an introductory call and in the first few sessions, I tend to explore with clients what they are hoping for from therapy, what might be different after receiving psychological support, and how we will know if it has been successful for them. Each person has many and varied reasons why they seek out psychological support and what they hope to gain from it. Below are some examples of what may be different for you following a course of psychotherapy, psychological support or coaching, including developing a more balanced sense of self, improved emotional recognition and expression, increased awareness of strengths and resources and, finally, newfound meaning and perspective.
A more balanced sense of self
Building greater psychological and emotional resilience
Developing more self-compassion and the ability to access internal resources to support better emotional regulation
Helping lower overall stress and arousal levels
Finding inner confidence, trust, self-respect and self-belief
Developing autonomy and a newfound sense of identity
Developing self-awareness
Finding a sense of self-empowerment and motivation
Creating more meaningful and authentic relationships with yourself, others and the world
Improved emotional recognition and expression
Where relevant, taking a more accepting stance on our emotions, internal experiences and the uncertainties of life (Note of caution: this is not always appropriate, particularly in instances of intimate partner violence and abuse)
Developing a better understanding of the purpose and place for feelings and emotions
Increasing your willingness to experience emotions and connect with them
Developing a greater tolerance for difficult feelings, emotions and sensations (if this is appropriate)
Increased awareness of strengths and resources
Celebrating successes and acknowledging achievements
Identifying internal and external resources that provide strength and comfort in times of challenge
Understanding what drives you and what obscures you from reaching your full potential
Increasing your ability to connect with the world and others and decreasing your sense of social isolation
Newfound meaning & perspective
Seeing your life story and experiences through fresh eyes
A greater appreciation for how your life experiences have shaped you
Making sense of your place in the world and understanding how your story has been shaped by social, cultural, environmental, political, regulatory, structural, spiritual and familial influence
Understanding and making sense of your life story
Changing your relationship with past experiences to enable you to build a stronger future
Identifying what is important to you and what you value in life
Helping you find direction, meaning and purpose in life
Considering choices and actions that enable you to move forward aligned to what you most value, encouraging growth and development as a human being
Engaging in therapy is not a guarantee that things will change, nor is it a guarantee that things will get better. How psychological support helps will depend on many contextual factors. To ensure you get the most from therapy, being able to develop a good relationship with your psychotherapist/counsellor or psychologist, where you have a sense of trust and feel able to be open and honest about your experiences, is crucial. Additionally, it’s helpful if you have the motivation and desire to engage in therapy, even when it feels tough, which it will!
If, after reading this, you've found yourself considering a course of therapy or are interested in an introductory call to see if we might be the right fit, please contact me and I'll be happy to help.