Seeking therapy for the first time can feel like stepping into the unknown. Many people have questions about what therapy involves, their role in the process, and what to expect from their therapist and their sessions. At Prosper Health Collective, we believe that understanding the therapy process can help ease anxiety and set you up for success.
The Therapy Process: A Collaborative Journey
Therapy is a structured yet flexible process designed to help individuals navigate life’s challenges, gain insights, and develop coping strategies. It is a collaborative effort between you and your therapist, where both play essential roles.
Your Role in Therapy
As a client, your active participation is crucial to the therapy process. This includes:
- Open communication: Whilst it may feel uncomfortable at times,sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences honestly supports therapy to be most effective.
- Commitment to sessions:Therapy is a process that builds over time, regular attendance, engagement, and consistency is key to making progress.
- Applying insights outside of sessions: Practicing strategies in daily life facilitates progress and supports change beyond the therapy session.
- Patience and self-compassion: Therapy is not a quick fix and progress may take time. Setbacks are a normal part of the process so it’s important to be kind to yourself as you navigate challenges on your journey.
Your Therapist’s Role
At PHC, our team of experienced professionals deeply care about their client’s wellbeing and collaboratively work with each individual to assist them in achieving their goals. Whilst you are the expert in your life, therapists provide a non-judgemental approach to assist in facilitating clients to experience meaningful and lasting change. The therapist role includes:
- Active listening and guidance: Ask important questions, help you to build self-awareness, and explore thoughts and feelings.
- Evidence-based strategies: Using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or Schema Therapy
- Tailored approach: Therapy is not one-size-fits-all; your therapist will adapt their approach to best support your needs and goals.
- Providing a safe space: Encouraging open and honest discussions while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Whilst your therapist will see you for your scheduled sessions, they also prepare for your sessions, engage in treatment planning and develop notes for your sessions. They will also provide updates for your referrer as we value collaborative care to support you to have the best outcomes.
What Happens in a Therapy Session?
Psychology sessions are generally 50 minutes long. In the first session your therapist will discuss things like confidentiality and informed consent with you and will ask you about your reasons for attending. This will involve supporting you to tell your story and asking questions they need to know to best assist you. Finally the psychologist will speak to you about your goals and discuss a treatment plan for your needs.
Subsequent sessions typically involves the following components:
- Check-in: Reviewing how you’ve been feeling since the last session. Your therapist may ask about any changes in your mood, thoughts, or behaviours.
- Discussion and exploration: Addressing concerns, experiences, or goals. Sessions can focus on processing emotions, exploring past experiences, or problem-solving current issues.
- Interventions and strategies: Using evidence-based approaches for working on therapy goals such as developing new coping mechanisms, developing emotional regulation skills, or reframing unhelpful thinking patterns.
- Reflection and planning: Summarising session content and discussing next steps. You may receive tasks to work on between sessions.
There can be a range of misconceptions about what therapy involves. Our debunking therapy myths blog can help you understand and be more confident in how the therapy process can support you.
Taking the First Step
Starting therapy can be a transformative experience, offering support, clarity, and empowerment. The therapy process is unique to each individual, and it is important that you engage with a therapist and approach that feels right for you. Understanding what to expect can help you approach therapy with confidence and openness.
The team at Prosper Health Collective is here to guide you on your journey to wellbeing. We appreciate your commitment to this process with us. Therapy is an investment in yourself, and we are here to support you every step of the way.