The in-betweens of therapy
Is Therapy for me?
At some point in life we all wonder about therapy, in the same way we might wonder about massage or physiotherapy. For most of us it is an unknown territory. And unlike massage or physiotherapy there can be a stigma attached to seeking therapy: ‘I’m not mad!’
But what is it to be ‘mad’ for you? And isn’t it true that some madness is part of being human and unique? But the truth is we don’t need to be mad to see a therapist.
Statistics shows us that, at some point, most of us will suffer from a mental health issue. In the same way that our body has health issues at times, so does our mind. We need to see this as normal, as something we can all experience. As a cold or an infection takes us to the GP, so a mental health challenge can make us seek therapy. But therapy can also help strengthen our mental health before we develop problems or an illness. In fact it should be seen as preventive. The sooner we know ourselves, the sooner we can lead a happy life and have the tools to deal with depression or anxiety, for example. And a healthy, healed mind results in a healthier body.
So if you wonder about if therapy is for you, I believe the answer is yes - just by being human and having a mind!
What to expect from Therapy?
Therapy is a safe, confidential place to be yourself and express yourself – to look at what is going on now and what has gone on in the past. The past makes us who we are: looking at it helps us understand how we were shaped, as well as to choose what still suits us now and what does not.
A relationship like no other, in therapy you are fully accepted and embraced, held, respected and encouraged – and also challenged from time to time. The therapist is a blank canvas for your therapy to be played out, through the therapeutic relationship.
However commitment is essential. The commitment of the therapist is assured, but for therapy to give results, you need to commit to come to sessions, to be punctual, to be willing to engage with the process, and be open to what happens. The work mostly goes on under the surface, in the unconscious. So trust is essential. There will be times of movement, enlightenment, and understanding, and there will moments where you/we will feel stuck or going through muddy waters, where it is important to keep going.
In time you will feel different and hopefully better. You will be more in control, you will manage your issues and you will have learned some important tools to use in your daily life. And you will grow and heal as much as you are ready to do so. You will grow wings and make your first attempts try to fly, and in time you will be flying. There is no magical number of session needed to reach this, for we are all different and unique. But when it comes we both will know it.
“Maria has been a brilliant sounding board, she is an excellent listener and not at all judgmental.”
