Talking about your mental health issues with a therapist can help you cope with feelings surrounding any ongoing behaviors or symptoms that are currently present, or that may have been lingering. Talking about your mental health diagnosis(es) via therapy will allow you to find solutions that can be applied to current issues you're facing. But be prepared for homework as well, talking during therapy can be a great way of venting & stress reliever. With homework in mind, your therapist may recommend an array of things such as recording your thoughts, behaviors, and moods. You may even be asked to practice an exercise in your life outside of therapy as a way to expose yourself to a goal you want to accomplish (e.g., being in large crowds, asking your boss for a raise/promotion, having a difficult conversation with a loved one or friend, or public speaking). While exposing yourself to anxiety provoking events sounds tempting (or intimidating for some), be sure to consult with a qualified professional therapist first so you feel equipped.
In getting to the root causes of any mental health illness(es) some therapist delve deep into your past in understanding the epidemiology of your mental health disorder(s) via psychotherapy. However, some therapists are more apt to tackle your mental health from a more solution brief focus treatment approach. In this regard, therapists focus primarily on your current mental health issues, thoughts, and emotions. As your therapist I like to gauge where you feel comfortable in exploring your issue(s), whether we decide to dive into the deep end or remain in the shallows.
If you decide psychotherapy is appropriate for you, you can expect to understand your mental health diagnosis(es), identify specific goals, explore & overcome fears or insecurities, manage stress better, absolve past traumas, separate your personality from a mood disorder (if it applies), identify triggers that contribute to your symptoms, improve interpersonal relationships with others, improve your intrapersonal relationship within yourself, establish a stable routine, develop a cohesive plan to cope with potential crises, develop an understanding of why certain situations or events bother you & how you plan to react to them, and end addictive behaviors such as drinking, using illicit substances, gambling, shopping and, or engaging in unsafe sex practices.
If however you decide a shorter approach to therapy, be aware to apply a lot of skills in/out of therapy. Be prepared to rapidly change thinking and behaviors. You can expect goals to be accomplished much sooner without exploring root causes as one would with psychotherapy.
Bringing an open-mind and honesty to therapy with your therapist (which I hope is me), setting clear & concise goals, willingness to do homework, and making progress will be very vital to you. I hope to convey a safe space in which you feel welcome to explore your feelings & concerns without judgment through a therapeutic alliance. Allow me to help you become more mentally fit.
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