Metaphorically, a rollercoaster.
Psychotherapy literally translates to treatment for the psyche (the human mind– conscious and unconscious). In colloquial language, this is referred to as “therapy.” Some believe that therapy is only reactive – “when things go wrong, go to therapy;” “when you can’t handle it, go to therapy;” “when you’ve tried everything else and are still failing, go to therapy.” Therapy can also be proactive. Oftentimes I tell folks who are interested in beginning therapy that it can be most beneficial when we’re not in crisis. When we are not in distress, we are able to engage with ourselves as-is, with a less combative mindset and a more accurate view-of-self. Because the human mind is not in a flight-fight-freeze-fawn state, it is easier to build trust and dive into the work with your therapist.
There are many methods of therapy: talk therapy, narrative therapy, art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, just to name a few. In my practice, I provide talk therapy, where two or more people sit in a safe space –virtual or in-person– and talk. This is also known as psychotherapy. By using a variety of treatment techniques learned through years of experience and completing the most extensive graduate training available in psychological theory, practice, and research, together, we’ll use a blend of metaphors, self-reflection, self-examination, and our relationship as a microcosm to view your world, relationships, and patterns of being. Some goals of this type of therapy are to help you gain a better understanding of your own emotions, identify roadblocks, process past and/or traumatic experiences, work on breaking unhealthy coping strategies, and move towards change.
Moving From Feeling Bizarre to Being Curious
At first, therapy can feel strange and uncomfortable. It is unlike any other non-therapeutic relationship you have ever experienced and will ever experience. It is mostly one-sided, the focus is on you. Social norms are checked at the door (i.e., a socially-appropriate “how are you” asked to your therapist might not get a common response), sessions might end abruptly, emotions might feel overwhelming, thoughts might feel unfinished. This experience does not last forever; overtime the discomfort shifts to familiarity. It’s all part of the process.
Up-and-Down
Much like a rollercoaster, therapy can ignite feelings of excitement or exhaustion. Sometimes you might leave feeling energized and refreshed, prepared to take on life, like you know yourself better, confident. Other times you might leave feeling confused, exhausted, unsure and disappointed, defeated. It’s all part of the process.
Side-to-Side
I frequently tell my patients that therapy can feel great and it can feel bad; it can feel fast and it can feel slow. Movement is what we strive for! If you feel stagnant, let’s revisit things. If you feel like you are regressing or progressing, it is movement so we need to trust the process. To quote the Disney character, Dory (Finding Nemo): “Just keep swimming.”
How Long Does Therapy Last?
There’s no right answer to this perplexing question, no one-size-fits-all. Therapy can last a few sessions, a few months or a few years. I find that many people come to therapy for one issue, and while working on that, the Pandora’s Box phenomenon occurs and we end up processing many other things that they may not have intended to bring up.
Therapy Can Be Proactive
Therapy is not just for the sick; therapy is for the healthy, too. People can get the most from therapy when they allow themselves the freedom and time-less constraints to explore what comes up in-the-moment, follow their thoughts instead of coming into session with an agenda, and permit themselves to be vulnerable about their thoughts, experience, and being.
For individual, couple/relationship, and group therapy inquiries, please reach out.
