You may think that going to therapy will help you to establish goals, which might be true, and it might not. Goals are sometimes less obvious than they seem. According to researchers, our brains might establish goals even before we think about them. If you have a goal in mind, you could simply be reporting on what your brain has already decided. After deep thought, you might determine that the original goal is not what you truly want. You may want to question and explore your goals from time to time with your therapist. Our brains are hardwired and can sometimes hold two contradictory goals at the same time. You may then focus on one goal at the expense of the other. Do not become obsessed with goals. If you think about them too much, you may lose focus on what is truly important. To reach goals, you must be motivated. Maybe instead of working with your therapist on goal-setting, you work on what is holding you back from reaching your goals.
In therapy, you may want to approach your sessions with logic and reason. Logic does not help you in therapy and may keep you stuck. Psychotherapy attempts to help you form new ways of thinking and feeling and if you apply logic, you may not be able to allow these new ways of thinking into your life. Instead, allow your mind to explore new possibilities, as this just might help you find creative solutions to your problems.
Try to look at the relationship with your therapist as a sounding board. Sometimes the relationship you have with your therapist can say something about you. Try to observe how you interact with them and explore your feelings associated with your therapist. Listen to what they are saying to you; not just focusing on what you say.
If your therapist encourages you to explore more, then do so. Trying to hurry through therapy is never a good idea. Maybe you just want them to tell you the result or what you need to do, but this can ultimately frustrate you and impede the therapeutic process. If you are too rigid in therapy, your mind might become stiff and unable to discover new insights about yourself. Therapy is not a race; it is a journey of self-exploration and discovery.
Maybe you think your therapist talks too much. This is more common than you think. You want to ask them why they are talking about that, but it does have a purpose. Explore this with your therapist before tuning out or ignoring them. Become an attentive listener and if you have questions, ask them. This time spent together is important; make it what you want.
At Hired Power, we believe in you and your ability to enter a program of recovery and be successful. Call us today 800.910.9299.
