But if you’re new to therapy, you might have a lot of questions.
or “Will my therapist think I’m ‘crazy’ or a lost cause?”
Even people who’ve been in treatment for years sometimes have unanswered questions.
Fiordaliso / Getty Images
(“Can my therapist tell if I’ve relapsed?")
At a Glance
Don’t worry, your therapist isn’t keep secrets or judging you.
Engaging in Therapy Doesn’t Mean You Are Broken
There is astigma surrounding mental health.
But this isn’t what mental health therapy is about, or even what it is.
“Notice that there is nothing about being broken in this definition.
Instead, engaging in therapy is about gaining the tools needed to live a better life.
These are merely issues that you face versus being a sign of your character or defining who you are.
Some factors are things you’re able to change, but many are simply outside of your control.
But even the ones that are modifiable still don’t make you a bad person.
They simply make you human.
Mental Health is Complex
Your therapist understands that mental health can be rather complex.
There are many different reasons for having certain thoughts and behaviors.
A therapist can help you work through all your conditions and symptoms.
There might even be some issues affecting you that you don’t realize.
This underscores how complex mental health can be, also highlighting the importance of getting a therapist’s help.
Finding the best therapist for you’re free to sometimes be a trial and error process.
Go to a few sessions with a therapist and see how you feel.
Keep looking until you find one that is.
And don’t worry about offending the therapist by going with someone else.
They know that finding the right fit is important to thetherapeutic process.
Aninclusive therapist, for example, may have experience dealing with specific issues that affect your mental well-being.
And they don’t have to agree with you to be able to do this.
However, what is said in the therapy session stays in the therapy session.
In fact, protecting a client’s privacy is part of a therapist’scode of ethics.
If confidentiality is a concern, talk with your therapist about this beforehand.
Let them know that you are worried about your privacy.
It also helps them better understand why you may be a bit guarded with your private thoughts and feelings.
You have to want help with youraddiction,mental health disorder, or other challenges you face.
You also have to be willing to put in the work to get the desired results.
Instead, your therapist is more of a guide.
While they can certainly help, they aren’t in the driver’s seat.
They are more a passenger who is holding the GPS.
This involves asking you questions to help you better understand yourself and recognizing wherefaulty thought processesmay exist.
Yet, the reality is that you’re not the only person who is dealing with your specific issue.
Therapists spend their days working with people who face similar challenges.
Recognizing Your Triggers Is Key
We don’t exist in a vacuum.
Your therapist can help with both.
Unfortunately, this isn’t reality as therapy isn’t a linear journey.
It generally contains several ups and downs along the way.
You may leave some sessions feeling better and you may leave some feeling worse.
Both are part of healing andrecovery.
Sometimes you have to bring negative emotions to the surface to deal with them.
Knowing this beforehand can keep you from thinking that yourtherapy isn’t workingif you don’t always feel good.
While you may be tempted to hide a relapse, your therapist can probably tell anyway.
A mental health professional is trained to recognize the signs of relapse.
Truth is important in therapy.
Being honest with them about your actions and feelings is critical to helping them help you.
Remember that a therapist is there to help you create a healthier, happier, and more productive life.
They do this by providing you with the tools and strategies that are effective for the conditions you face.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About mental health.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.The comorbidity of anxiety and depression.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Comorbidity: Substance use disorders and other mental illnesses DrugFacts.
2020;27(2):168-178. doi:10.1002/cpp.2416
American Mental Health Counselors Association.2020 AMHCA Code of Ethics.
American Psychological Association.Protecting your privacy: Understanding confidentiality.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction.
