Therapy is one of the best investments you can make in yourself—but, like most investments, it costs money.
Regardless of your financial situation, you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your therapy sessions so your money is well spent, and so you’re benefitting as much as possible from your experience.
In this guide, we’ve shared 3 of the best ways to get the most out of your therapy sessions.
Don’t Settle on a Therapist
Your relationship with your therapist is just as important as your relationships with the other people in your inner circle. And, as with everyone you connect with in life, you might gel better with some therapists than with others.
When you’re searching for therapists, make a list of things you’re looking for. For instance, if you’re specifically looking for couples therapy, look for a therapist specializing in couples. Then read the bios of the therapists in your area and schedule a meeting with anyone who suits what you’re looking for.
You can then schedule a free consultation with two or three therapists and use this time to understand how they can help you, and whether or not their style of therapy is good for you. If you’re not sure, you can ask them—a good therapist will be honest and tell you when their skillset is not best suited to you.
Have An Agenda
It’s okay to go to therapy just because you want to work on yourself and not for a specific reason. But with that said, it’s still a good idea to make a note of why you’re choosing therapy at this stage in your life, so you have some goals to work towards with your therapist.
Approaching each session with a few topics or themes you want to focus on will help you get more from your sessions than if you simply turn up and talk about your week (unless, of course, there is something specific about your week that you need to discuss!).
Your therapist will find it easier to develop therapeutic strategies and help you work towards achieving them when you have a few clear end goals. See it as your “homework” to evaluate your progress and have a think about exactly what you want to get out of your sessions
Take Some Time to Yourself After Each Session
Therapy can be a life-changing experience, but it can also be a lot. It’s a wise idea to take some time to process your sessions before diving straight back into life, so you can think through everything you’ve discussed and recognize the progress you’ve made.
If you can, walk home from your therapist’s office and allow your mind to wander as you get some fresh air. Even a short drive home will give you time to mull things over.
Final Word
You can change your entire outlook with therapy, but achieving the best results takes work from you, not just your therapist. Hopefully, the tips in this guide will help you get the most out of therapy and proactively work towards being a better version of yourself.
