Beginning Therapy

Getting to the Root of the Problem Whether or not we like to admit it, most of us blow our problems out of proportion. Instead of recognizing them as fleeting moments, mishaps, or complications, we let them define and control us. And we quickly enter a negative tailspin. Matt Smith,…

A working alliance in therapy, otherwise known as the therapeutic relationship, is simply the relationship that exists between the client and his or her therapist. In this alliance, both parties have the same goal: for the client to make improvements and benefit from great change throughout the therapeutic process. It’s…

A key to finding success in therapy is building a positive relationship with your therapist and feeling comfortable enough to open up to them. Counselors use different techniques to help their clients feel more comfortable in therapy, and in turn, make for a successful therapy journey. First, it helps to…

When exploring different options for therapy and therapists, it’s important that you acknowledge the importance of a healthy therapeutic relationship and therefore avoid several types of therapists. The first kind of counselor you should avoid is the Conflict of Interest Therapist: or in other words, a counselor that your close…

Ask Yourself: What Am I Looking to Accomplish? First, ask yourself what you want to accomplish. Do you want to go on an exploration of what happened in your childhood? You may want to find a therapist who specializes in psychodynamic therapy or even hypnotherapy. Are you looking for someone…

Therapy is becoming increasingly popular and better trusted in our society, but some still wonder: how is it beneficial? And, how exactly will it help me? The answer isn’t simple or clean-cut, as every individual’s experience with therapy differs—depending on factors like age, duration of sessions, and issue at hand—but…

The day my friend decided to try therapy, she sent me a frustrated text: “Ugh, I can’t find any therapists!” Of course there were therapists and counselors in her area, but she couldn’t find any that met her other needs; more specifically, she couldn’t find a female therapist, who took…

Online counseling may not be as widely recognized as your traditional in-person counseling, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t significant or effective. More and more people are discovering that online therapy really works—as it enables you to attend your sessions virtually, making it an exceptionally convenient and ingenuous approach. Here’s…

You may have heard of a little something called online counseling—but you might not know all that much about it. Basically, online counseling is therapy conducted via telephone or video chat. It’s particularly helpful for certain individuals, such as those who have trouble opening up to the counselor in a…

Counseling is an incredibly useful tool for all who utilize it. Yes, it is exceptionally effective for those who present symptoms of a serious mental illness like depression or anxiety or posttraumatic stress disorder. But it is also exceptionally effective for those who aren’t diagnosed with a mental disorder. Counseling…

When I was in college, one of my best friends announced out of the blue that she was going to start therapy. She said it nonchalantly, with a bright smile and hopeful eyes. Her first appointment was in just a few days, she told me. I was amazed, to say…

Congratulations! You’ve decided to prioritize your mental health and see what therapy has to offer—that’s great. You should be proud of yourself… even if you’re feeling a little uncertain about this unfamiliar territory. First and foremost, it’s okay to be nervous. “Taking the steps to look for and then contact…