Consider this scenario: it’s a regular day and you’re about to attend your therapy session. All of a sudden, your heart sinks and you start to experience an unexplainable feeling in your gut. You try to compose yourself because you have been attending therapy for quite some time. But then again, you start to wonder why you still feel uneasy. You start to wonder why you feel intimidated all the time and expect the worst. Ideally, you are not supposed to feel this way, as seeking therapy should make you feel the opposite. This situation may just occur when you know your therapist or the therapy process is not right for you.
Now, you must remember that feeling this way is completely valid, as our goal here is to feel better. There will be instances where we feel as if our therapist would judge us for our beliefs and opinions. There might also be situations where you feel that your therapist is being too intrusive to the point where you might feel uncomfortable. These are some of the red flags that you should take notice of.
For instance, Anjali Ram, 23, a student, expressed how it took her three trials to find the right therapist. "I was initially reluctant to go to therapy, as it was my parents’ suggestion. "My experience with the first therapist wasn’t all that great as I felt that the counsellor was imposing religious beliefs on me, considering the fact that I’m not a very religious person," she said. She also expressed how another therapist she encountered came off as judgemental and was imposing their ideologies on her and did not feel like she was getting the right kind of assistance. "The third therapist, however, was relatively better." "She created a safe space where I was able to express my thoughts freely," she said.
Vrnda, 23, a student, shared how her therapist’s techniques made her realise he was the right one for her. The reason why I knew that my therapist was the right one for me was that, right from the first session, he was very straightforward and practical with me. He ensured that he gave me insights into how therapy works, "she said. She also shared how he would always tell the hard truth about why a certain symptom would occur and the steps to be taken to overcome it.
Some of the notable good signs that you can take into account to spot a good therapist are:
● Ensure that the therapist guides you to do the work assigned to you.
● Your therapist should not act inappropriately toward you in any manner whatsoever. They should respect your boundaries.
● There should be honest communication and feedback between both parties.
● Your therapy session should make you feel like you’ve made progress in your healing process and should not make you feel stagnant.
● Last but not least, make sure your therapist always makes you feel validated and like they could be your ally.
So, next time you feel like you don’t get along well with your therapist, take your time to find the right kind of therapy and therapist that will help you achieve your goals!
Komen