Psychotherapy: Here, What NOT To Expect From Psychotherapy!
Last Update on April 16, 2021 : Published on April 18, 2021
The nature of mental health treatment seems mysterious to many of us. A lot of people are confused about what should and should not happen during the session while keeping unrealistic expectations within. Psychologists also find therapies different with every patient and understand their concern, but also wish that they comply with therapy expectations according to personal specifications.
However, it is unfortunate if inaccurate perceptions keep people away from their recovery and stop them from getting help that they deserve. Read the mini guide on interpersonal psychotherapy to find what is most commonly expected. At the same time, it’s time to bust the myths as well as expectations that you shall not look for complete fulfillment.
Why To Clear Misconceptions About Psychotherapy?
Mental health literacy is as important as taking a mental health treatment. If you are able to break the common myths that many of us carry in our heads, the treatment faces less hurdles and more success. Various research has shown that people perceive therapy as what they see in movies and television series.
Also Read: Debunking the Top 10 Myths of Therapy and Online Therapy For You
Sometimes damaging depictions of mental health physicians or school counselors become another challenge to the overall process of psychotherapy. This is why you must clear your mind in advance.
What Not To Expect From Psychotherapy?
We have got you some most important tips that not only educate you about therapy but turn down the misconceptions so that you begin the process with a free mind and free will.
1. Don’t Expect Your Therapist To Tell You Exactly What Needs To Be Done
As a misconception of psychotherapy, the person thinks that the therapist will directly tell him or her about what their next step in life should be. In reality, a therapist will not be providing you choices or the consequences of your direct questions.
The truth is that a therapist will ask you a number of open ended questions in order to determine what you want to do and why. At the same time, you can figure out consequences or gather courage to take steps, no matter what.
However, it is not that your therapist will not back you up but they will become your mirror of what you said with fresh perspectives. You may also be guided with other options you had never imagined while placing them in sections like positive, negative or neutral path. In case your therapist is helping you for a long time, they can even remind you of your previous decisions to avoid repetition of old patterns.
2. Don’t Expect That Everything Will Be Fixed In A Few Sessions
Only a few problems exist which require one or two sessions of psychotherapy for quick fix.
Psychotherapy could be short term or long term commitment according to the mental issue you are dealing with.
It cannot be a quick fix as the therapist takes a first few sessions in deciding what kind of therapy would be useful in particular, your social and family history in order to know you better. It is also important to note that some people take more than usual to open up and express whereas others may find it comfortable in relieving themselves.
However, it is also reasonable to ask your therapist about the structure, approaches and process of cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy.
3. Don’t Expect Talking To Therapist Is Exactly Same As Talking To Your Friend
There is a wide gap between therapies and friendly advice and hence you must not expect spontaneous advice from your therapist during psychotherapy. You might feel that you are expressing your intimate details with the therapist but you are not getting back what was expected.
Your therapist may set limits around you when you share personal information so that the focus is maintained on you and your goals.
Don’t worry about these boundaries but they are made to learn more about yourself and make sense of your assumptions.
4. Don’t Expect To ‘Click’ With Your Therapist In First Meeting
Therapeutic relationships involve two people coming together to achieve one particular goal. It is understood that you have a personality with specific traits and you can imagine the same for your therapist too.
You may or may not click with your therapist in one meeting and may need to set up more appointments to find if the therapist is a good fit for you. It is also possible that you need to see more clinicians before actually finding which therapist is right for you.
Make sure that you keep these things in mind while changing your therapist to get best results and treatment flow.
Tips To Make Psychotherapy Successful
- Ask your therapist all the questions roaming in your mind and find if they are able to return back with proper diagnosis, treatment plan and their past experience.
- Did you find professionalism in your therapist’s plan?
- How comfortable are you in conveying your mind to the therapist or you are still facing challenges in talking openly?
- Are you comfortable in interacting with them and if they are able to perceive your emotional and mental state properly?
Wrap-Up
Despite having huge therapy expectations during psychotherapy, it is necessary to keep a line about what not to expect from therapies side by side. We hope that this blog will help you break the misconceptions of therapy and allow you to explore visiting the therapist in person or try luck with online therapy.
About The Author
Akanksha Soni
Akanksha is an active lifestyle blogger and writer at Calmsage. She has learnt various lessons on happiness and methods to fight depression through 'Gurus' as well as own experiences. An ardent practitioner of Yoga and meditation, she keeps traveling, writes and interacts with people to feel alive.
