Finding it Difficult to Start Therapy?

You are not alone

There are some common misconceptions about therapy, such as "I don't want to drudge up everything from the past" or "I will be forced to talk about things I don't want to talk about" or "I've tried it in the past and I still don't feel better." These beliefs are just some of many that float out there. While we are seeing a trend that more people are comfortable going to therapy now than they have been in years prior, it is still important to break some of these *mostly inaccurate stereotypes and beliefs.

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Therapy is for YOU, which means it should be based on what YOU want to talk about, explore, etc. Unless you are court mandated to talk about something specific (which is the vast minority of therapeutic situations), you should be able to lead the focus of the therapy toward what would be most helpful. Of course, sometimes that means "drudging up the past" but often times it does not! You should also be comfortable telling a therapist that you would rather not talk about a certain subject, regardless of how it comes up. 

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And most importantly, it is important that you feel supported by a therapist. If you aren't finding something helpful, share that with her/him/them. If you aren't connecting with a therapist, find a new one! Most therapists (myself included) will not be upset - we want you to have the most helpful experience that you can.

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*Some therapists have a particular style that relies heavily on past experiences. Don't be afraid to ask in advance if you're looking to focus on present-only work.