Congratulations! You have realized that you need help and have decided to go for therapy. Counseling can be life-changing in many ways, no matter whether you are dealing with past trauma or unprecedented stress. There are many centers for Counseling in Stillwater, and before you step in for the first session, here’s what you need to know.
- Don’t let your mind stop you from talking. People who complain that counseling didn’t help them much are often the ones who refused to open up to the therapist. The counselor is not there to judge you or pass comments about how you should have handled certain things in life.
- Do not pretend. If you choose to pretend about embarrassing things in life or lie about facts, this is only going to prolong the treatment and won’t help. Being yourself with the counselor is one of the first things that you must appreciate.
- Be open to asking and answering questions. Besides saying what you want to, let your counselor ask questions, and if you want to know them better, don’t step back from asking more. You can be as honest and brutal as you want, but don’t let your emotions rule what you say.
- Know that everything is confidential. Many people seeking counseling often fear that their secrets are out and could be used against them. Be comfortable knowing that counselors and therapists are required to adhere to privacy regulations, and whatever you say wouldn’t leave the room.
- Create a window before and after the therapy. You wouldn’t want to head for a movie right after a counseling session, as that would defeat the whole purpose. Make sure that you have some time to ruminate after the meeting to understand the context of things that your therapist has said to you.
- Be reasonable with your expectations. The number of counseling sessions that you may need depends on several factors, including the severity of your mental health condition. While you may expect the first session to do it all, you may need at least a few to see the benefits. Therapy is no magic wand.
- Have a few goals. You are expected to have a few goals on your mind when you meet your counselor. For instance, are you interested in feeling better about your self-image? Do you want to let go of a person who has been toxic to you? Reasonable goals are good to start with instead of just expectations.
Call a counseling center today!