Therapy is an active process
If only we as therapists could erase our clients’ trauma, grief, and anxiety. I know that often the expectations of clients are that if they show up, the therapist will have a silver bullet to eliminate their problems in just a few sessions.
But here’s the truth: therapy isn’t passive; it’s active work.
What therapy can (and can’t) do
The adage “you get out what you put in” definitely holds true for psychotherapy.
Therapists can guide, support, and equip you with new insights and tools, but psychotherapists don’t have the power to do the inner work that is required to change. Patterns of relating are formed in early life. And shifting these patterns means a willingness to apply them outside the therapy room.
Active application
The one hour a week spent in psychotherapy is powerful, but it’s only a fraction of your life. Real transformation happens when you practice between sessions:
- Trying out new coping strategies.
- Approaching conversations differently.
- Noticing when old patterns show up — and experimenting with new responses.
It’s similar to learning a new language or training a muscle. Consistency and effort matter more than perfection.
Making the most of your treatment
From nearly two decades of experience, here are three recommendations for getting the most out of your sessions:
- Be as open and honest as possible in session. Practice what you have learned outside of sessions. It’s ok if you don’t do this perfectly. Effort is everything.
- Give us feedback. What is working and what is not? Clinicians can make adjustments to provide you with the best treatment possible when we know what’s landing and what isn’t.
- Expect discomfort. That sounds counterintuitive because we imagine psychotherapy as a place where we get support. And you will. But also, any effective therapy requires stretching outside your comfort zone.
Take home message
Therapy isn’t about a therapist doing an operation to “fix” you. It’s about you and your therapist working together, both inside and outside of sessions, to build the life you want.
If you’re ready to invest in yourself and begin this active process, our team at PsychPro offers psychotherapy in California through in-person sessions and statewide telehealth.
Schedule a consultation here or call (619) 693-8327 to get started.
