Psychotherapy can be an impactful way to deal with trauma, but only if it is managed and applied effectively.
Psychotherapy can be an impactful way to deal with trauma, but only if it is managed and applied effectively.
Failure in this context is not uncommon, so let’s look at where it can go wrong and why so that you can address this in your own experiences.
Finding success in psychotherapy requires setting clear goals and expectations. If you don't have an idea of what the end goal is, it's difficult to make progress towards achieving it.
That being said, even if your objectives are well-defined there may still be bumps along the way as life circumstances change and new challenges arise.
It’s important to keep communication strong between therapist and patient so that adjustments can be made when needed. This helps ensure that all parties remain focused on working together towards meeting those set goals - without them it’s hard for therapy to succeed long term.
Another key to effective psychotherapy involves having realistic expectations. If you’re expecting an overnight transformation or looking for a quick fix, you’ll likely be disappointed.
Therapy is about learning to cope with and improve upon challenging situations and trauma over time - progress can take months, even years.
A good therapist will provide guidance on how long it may take to reach your ideal end point, and what types of activities could help make that process smoother. Establishing these ground rules from the start sets everyone up for success down the road.
When embarking on the journey of psychotherapy, it’s important to be mindful of how much time and money you are willing to invest in the process.
Setting aside adequate resources is key for successful outcomes - a single session won't necessarily make all your problems go away, whether related to work stress, social anxiety or anything else.
Instead, committing to regular sessions over an extended period gives you space to address issues that may come up as therapy progresses.
Investing in yourself can pay off significantly down the line if done with intention - so don’t skimp on this important part of mental health care.
Having a care team that works together using a platform for efficient care coordination management is essential for psychotherapy which delivers the right outcomes.
With so many different providers involved, it’s important to ensure everyone has the same understanding and goals in mind.
It can be challenging to keep track of all these moving parts - but if changes are made without communicating them across the board, it sets up an environment where no one knows what’s happening next, or how best to help you on your journey.
Building out a solid network of communication between therapist and patient, as well as any other professionals involved, will go a long way towards avoiding this misalignment and keeping therapy on track.
Last but by no means least, trust in your therapist is critical for psychotherapy to have a positive impact. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing information with them or are unable to connect on a personal level, it can be hard to make any progress.
It’s important that your needs and concerns are heard and respected by your provider. Without this feeling of safety, therapy won't get off the ground.
Establishing an open dialogue between physician and patient creates a space where both parties can work together without fear of judgment or repercussions. Take the time to build out this relationship, and also recognize that you can step away if you simply don’t click.
