The truth about Counseling and Therapy in Philadelphia

With so many available options available for finding a therapist in Philadelphia, sometimes even after taking the first step and deciding to seek therapy, you end up feeling even more confused. The notion of therapy, while becoming more widespread and accepted, continues to mystify people. In my previous posts here, I provided additional information to hopefully help you gain some understanding.

 The Top 5 Truths About Seeing a Therapist in Philadelphia

1.     Therapy is work (and can be uncomfortable)-

Yes, that’s right, being in therapy or counseling can be tough. The good news is that you made the initial choice to reach out to a counselor, which is hard. It also means that you’ve already allowed yourself to be vulnerable. In this case, you picked up the phone or reached out to a therapist because you knew something wasn’t right; that maybe something’s got to change in your life.

Change…

Change is inevitable, and yet something most people resist. Therapy will often bring up uncomfortable stuff- difficult emotions, relationships, past history, current life stressors… It can be f*cking hard. There’ll possibly be a point when you’ll ask yourself, “Is this all worth it?” And… you may want to bolt.

Here’s the thing- therapy is work. You’ll sometimes be asked to try new ways of thinking, practice different ways of coping, and maybe talk about your painful history. Change is hard. Having to talk about past stuff or uncomfortable topics is hard.

What I can tell you is that when you work with me, you can find hope, find relief from feeling overwhelmed & miserable, and how to learn to manage your emotions & relationships in more effective ways so you can live a life worth living.

2.     The therapeutic relationship is key-

The foundation of successful therapy is having a trusting relationship with your therapist. Therapy involves allowing yourself to be vulnerable. When you’re able to be vulnerable in therapy, that’s where the magic (the therapeutic growth) happens. When you have a trusting, healthy relationship with your counselor, you’ll feel safer being real about your struggles and more willing to make the changes you want to see in your life.

Having a connection with your therapist is why I wholeheartedly emphasize the importance of finding a therapist who is the best fit for your needs; someone who “gets it”. You need to find that sweet spot of vulnerability and trust when you work with your therapist in order for you to reach your goals.

When you work with me, we both work together.

Think about it this way.

You and your therapist are in a rowboat. Both of you need to row the boat in order for you to get to your destination (your goals). It’s NOT the therapist sitting back, directing you on how to row your oar(s), and it’s NOT you, the client, watching your therapist try to row the boat and when they turn around, sawing holes in the boat. It’s a collaborative therapeutic relationship.  

3.     There’s no magic wand or quick fix in therapy-

It’s probably taken years for you to get to this current space in your life. Your life circumstances, how you interact with others, the ways you cope or deal with stress, the way in which you view the world (just to name a few), have taken years to form and morph into what they are today.

Therapy takes time.

It takes time, work, and practice to make consistent, positive, and lasting change. It takes a therapist who “gets it” and “gets you”. That connection with your therapist- that therapeutic relationship takes some time to be built.

I wish, oh how I wish, that the change that my clients or their loved ones want to see, could happen overnight. It just takes time. For some people, it’s longer than others. The bottom line is that the life that you want for yourself requires hard work, which takes time.

What I can tell you is that when you work with me in therapy, I’ll continually assess for progress in your treatment and talk about that with you. We’ll work together to see what’s working, and where things remain stuck. Because if things are working; if counseling isn’t helping you make progress towards your goals, what’s the point, you know?

4.     Consistency will be your friend when you’re in therapy-

As I mentioned above, therapy is work. When you are consistent in your therapy sessions, progress happens faster. That means that when you attend sessions consistently, participate actively, complete your therapeutic homework (the magic can’t all happen inside the session), and put in the effort regularly, the more likely you’ll see the results you want. That means, when you work with me, you’ll have weekly counseling sessions (sometimes more), you’ll be challenged and supported, because I know you don’t want to be in therapy forever.

 5.     The more you put into therapy, the more you’ll get out of therapy-

Going to therapy does not mean you simply show up to your counseling sessions to secure a successful outcome. It means that you’re open to being vulnerable. As I said before, when you can be vulnerable in your counseling sessions with your therapist, that’s where the therapeutic growth happens and where you move closer to your goals.

Therapy works when you do.

Therapy’s not a one-sided process where the therapist provides advice or you sporadically attend therapy. Positive, sustainable change happens when you arrive at your session ready to actively participate, are open to learning, are vulnerable during those sessions with your therapist, complete the work outside of your sessions, and be willing to “lean into the discomfort” that so often is needed for therapy to work.

Therapy in Philadelphia 

I hope this helps you understand the truth about therapy and therapists in Philadelphia. If you’re overwhelmed by all this, I can help.

Philadelphia Dialectical Behavior Therapy

I specialize in the anxiety therapy and the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. Don’t wait to find relief from your emotional suffering, anxiety, or painful relationships, give me a call today at 717-685-5074 or click here to schedule your free, 15 minute, phone or virtual consultation for therapy in Philadelphia.