Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or just therapy, is designed to support people seeking relief from emotional or mental distress.
Therapy sessions are structured meetings between you and a licensed professional trained in various therapeutic techniques. Essentially, therapy is a safe space to talk about all the things in life that are bothering or challenging you. A therapist will work collaboratively with you to identify areas for improvement, shift perspective, and work towards positive change over time.
Why Choose Therapy?
People choose to come to therapy for a variety of different reasons. Some people want to work on childhood trauma, abuse, and substance use, while others are just seeking a safe space to unpack daily challenges as they arise. Below are some of the more common reasons people come to therapy.
- Dysmorphia
- Depression
- Dysphoria
- Identifying and exploring emotional
- Self-esteem capacity and processing
- Improve communication skills
- Stress (work, school, family)
- Work/ school-life balance
- Grief/ loss
- Want to explore their gender
- Identifying and setting boundaries
- sexual orientation
- Greater self-awareness
- Relationship/ family challenges
- Sexual concerns
- Burnout
Are there Different Types of Therapy? If so, which one should I choose?
Yes! There are many different types of therapy; some target specific mental health conditions while others work with different age groups. Many of the various therapies can work for the same symptom. For example, all the following therapeutic approaches have proven to be successful in supporting people who struggle with anxiety:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Art therapy
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Animal-assisted therapy
It’s common for people to try different types of therapy till they find one that works well for them. Each person is unique, and therefore one type of therapy will not work for everyone. If a specific therapy is not working for you, don’t get discouraged; ask your family doctor or current therapist for a referral to a different therapist, or do your research to find another therapist.
What Happens in my First Therapy Session?
When I introduce therapy to people for the first time, I generally say we are simply going to sit and have a conversation, and we will talk about things as they come up. We are not going to do a deep dive into your personal life in the first five minutes. We will start slow by discussing what’s going on in your life in general and when you feel comfortable, we can talk about some of the more challenging aspects of your life.
Generally, the first session is where the therapist will review and explain all relevant policies and
procedures such as privacy and confidentiality, cancellation policy, late arrivals, and any current
health and safety procedures. The therapist will usually start asking you questions about your
goals and expectations for therapy and ask questions to better understand your current situation.
Towards the end of the session, the therapist will usually discuss scheduling the next session
with you.
At the end of every session, I will ask people, “would you like to book another session?” You
will always have the option to say no. If the answer is yes, then I will ask, “when would you like
to come back?”.
What if I don’t like my therapist?
Sometimes you may start therapy, and a few sessions in realize it isn’t a good match. Maybe you don’t like the therapy style or the way the therapist talks. If you are not in a mandated therapy program, then you have the option to stop therapy whenever you want. You can request a referral to another therapist or find a new therapist on your own.
How long is a Therapy Session, and do I need to go to therapy every week?
No, you don’t need to attend therapy every week. Most therapists see clients every two weeks and will adjust the frequency as needed. You can also choose to see your therapist more or less frequently if you feel you need more or less support. Therapy can be either short or long-term. Short-term therapy is typically 12 sessions or less. Long-term therapy is treatment lasting longer than 12 sessions. When you start therapy, your therapist may recommend a suggested number of sessions per month based on their assessment of your needs and goals.
However, due to limited insurance coverage or a restricted budget, you can request less frequent sessions to have access to therapy over a more extended time.
In Summary