It can be hard to open up to a stranger, but engaging in psychotherapy is a great way to help you improve your situation, whether it’s for a clinical diagnosis of depression or for your overall mental and emotional wellbeing. It provides you with a sense of satisfaction knowing you are regaining control in your life and easing your symptoms of depression.
Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy or psychological therapy – a way to discuss your issues and find guidance on how to work through them in a quiet and private setting. But there are things that can get in the way of that and we wanted to help you understand ways to get the most out of your therapy.
01 The first barrier may be cost.
Fees will vary and you may find assistance through your employer or through your health insurance plan. Receiving the proper care is essential, however, and the cost of NOT receiving that care may be too great a price. Shopping around for lower fees is okay as long as you make sure you’re with a professional with whom you will want to continue working.
02 The second barrier is the frequency of visits.
How many visits does your therapist recommend? How long will you need to be in therapy? This depends on your symptoms and your progress. Ask, and talk with your therapist about a schedule that will work for both of you. Many of them can be flexible and allow for visits after normal working hours, even weekends.
03 Another barrier is one we mentioned at the beginning…opening up to a stranger.
The effectiveness of your therapy depends on your complete honesty and openness. This is why it’s so important to find a therapist you are most comfortable with. It’s okay to shop around for this too. If you aren’t able to share everything, or you’re not sure about whether they can help you, discuss it. Be open and let them know you are thinking about a change. A good therapist will support, understand and may even recommend someone they know who might work better with you. No hard feelings.
04 This next barrier could be confidentiality.
You’ve got 99 problems and that ain’t one. Your privacy and confidentiality is one thing a licensed professional would never betray. Doing so would put them out of a job. Period. So have at it!
Overcoming these barriers and being an active participant in securing your emotional wellbeing is extremely important to your overall health. You’ll learn to adjust to a crisis more easily, replace negative beliefs and behaviors, develop positive interactions with others and find better ways to cope and solve problems.
“Words of comfort, skillfully administered, is the oldest therapy known to man.” – Louis Nizer