We all have our own established thoughts on what it is like to be in therapy. We all have a perception of what meetings with a counselor might entail or how the process might go. These ideas might have come from personal experience, talking to others, or movies/TV, or other media. But, whatever you know there may still be some things you don’t know about all the benefits of therapy and how easily it can fit into your life.

That is why to start 2022 on a positive note we have come up with a list of five things you might not know about therapy and how it can help you.

Here they are:

1.) Therapy is a prevention tool.

Therapy is not just for the person who is trying to work through something or is struggling with a past event, it is about much more than addressing a crisis. Therapy can be a great prevention tool. It can equip people with the necessary coping tools to face challenges in the best way possible as they are happening.

Often people think of counseling as something for the person who is “broken,” a phrase we highly disagree with I should say, but rather it is like taking your vitamins to help you not get sick or stretching before you exercise so you are less likely to get hurt.

2.) Therapy can be exciting.

Oh, the dreaded hour of therapy. It is so boring. Does this sound like someone you know? Therapy isn’t boring at all. It is exciting. It is eye-opening. It can even be something you look forward to. Why you might ask? Because it is about taking care of yourself and doing something good for yourself. It is about self-discovery, learning more about what makes you YOU, and discovering what you really want and need down to your core.

3.) Therapy can provide relief. 

Do you know that feeling of a hundred pounds being lifted from your shoulders? You can get that feeling in a counseling session. Yes, there will be times when sessions will get highly emotional and may be stressful and overwhelming but there will also be a lot of times when you will find relief and calm. And, at the very least, you should always leave with some type of plan, some direction to help guide you.

4.) Therapy is unsurprising.

There can be the perception that therapy is earth-shattering and full of surprises and while that may be true in some rare cases, most of the time it is very unsurprising. It usually occurs at the same time, same day each week/month, and with the same trusted person. You are in charge of what YOU share. You only have to share what you are comfortable sharing.

5.) Therapy is hard work.

If you are going to get the most out of counseling or therapy, then you have to do the hard work. It is not about just sitting in an office and recapping your day or week. It is about putting tools, suggestions, and thought processes in play during your day-to-day life. Your therapist is merely a guide in your life. They are not genies that can grant you a hundred wishes. They help you by giving you different ways to think and approach things so that you can find clarity and happiness.

What You Make It

The bottom line is therapy is what you make it. If you are struggling with mental illness like depression or anxiety, counseling or therapy can help you navigate your days. If you are recovering from past trauma, therapy can help you heal. If you need someone to talk to because you feel alone, therapy can be your friend. It is what you want it to be.

If you are going through a difficult time or desire a greater connection with yourself, consider meeting with a counselor or therapist to see how they may be able to suit your needs.

Ready to begin counseling in Pennsylvania?

Counselors at CW Psychological Services are professionally trained and licensed. We have openings for online, or telehealth, therapy appointments. Email us at [email protected] or call at (610) 308-7575. We are here for you.