One of the first things a psychologist or a therapist says to their clients is that it takes time to actually see your progress.
Therapy isn't a one-day thing, so you should be ready to spend quite a while before it can actually help you.
Here are a few reasons why.
Understanding
In therapy, the first step is for the therapist to understand what's going on in your life.
This takes time because they need to listen carefully and ask questions to learn about your feelings and experiences.
Building Trust
Trust is important in therapy. You and your therapist need to get to know each other and build a trusting relationship. This doesn't happen overnight.
Working on Issues
Therapy helps you work through your issues and challenges.
This can be a bit like peeling an onion—each layer represents something to explore and understand.
Learning Skills
In therapy, you learn new skills to deal with your problems and feelings. Learning and practicing these skills takes time.
Progress Takes Time
Sometimes, it takes time to see progress and positive changes in your life. Therapy is like planting seeds; they need time to grow and flourish.
Complexity
Some problems are complex and may have deep roots. It can take time to unravel these complexities and find solutions.
Your Pace
Everyone is different, and therapy should go at your own pace. Rushing through it might not be as effective.
Conclusion
If you're ready for therapy, then be ready to work through your issues for a while - and that's how you can see how effective therapy can be!
