Article by Laura A. Gutierrez, LPC
Anyone at any given moment in their lives can benefit from counseling services. There is a misconception that counseling is only for people who struggle with severe mental health issues. The truth is, every human being on this planet has a built-in drive towards personal growth and self-actualization.
People seek counseling when they are going through life transitions, to process relationship issues, improve their interpersonal & leadership skills, or to increase their self-confidence. There is a myriad of reasons why people seek counseling services, but the question is are you ready to take this step in your life right now? Do you have the time in your life for this commitment? Are you ready to invest in yourself and put in the effort that it takes to see real results? Can you currently commit to this process of change and growth?
What to Expect in Therapy:
- Working towards solutions and making changes in your thinking, behavior, and/or feelings
- a collaborative process where you and your therapist work together to identify therapy goals, determine the length of therapy, and find needed solutions
- getting to know yourself better and uncovering forgotten parts of yourself, including your strengths, assets, and resources
- learning tools for coping, managing emotions, and handling life’s challenges
- it is not meant to replace your support system or be something you become dependent on
Therapy Interfering Behaviors (TIBs)
- any behaviors that interfere with you receiving the therapy offered or benefiting from therapy (ie: being late for sessions, not completing homework, cancelling sessions, forgetting to pay, see below for more examples)
- any behaviors that interfere with other clients benefiting from therapy (ie: group counseling, support groups, etc.)
- any behaviors that burn out a therapist
- arriving physically but not psychologically
- often responding to questions with “I don’t know” and to suggestions with “that won’t work”
- taking drugs or alcohol prior to therapy
- refusing to engage in or accept therapeutic strategies that your therapist believes are essential to progress in therapy
- non-collaborative behaviors and impatience
Therapy Enhancing Behaviors (TEBs)
- making progress towards goals
- trying out behavioral suggestions rather than saying “they won’t work”
- keeping arrangements and appointments
- calling to cancel ahead of time with a legitimate reason versus a “no show”
- arriving with a sense of humor
- being open and willing to incorporate new and healthy behaviors into your life
If you think you are ready to get to work, please give us a call at 303.655.9065 to schedule your first appointment. We would love to help you succeed in your personal journey!