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People who begin to go through therapy often realize that it helps them. They usually start out being very motivated to improve their life. As time progresses, they start to miss out on therapy sessions. Sometimes, it’s because they think they’re doing better, so missing a session isn’t important.
If you’re embarking on the journey of therapy, you need to understand that it takes consistent work. Staying as mentally and emotionally healthy as possible requires that you keep up with therapy so you have that support system.
There are many ways you can motivate yourself to continue going to therapy. The key here is that you need to find what works for you. You can consider these tips for making the most of therapy.
Put Your Appointments on Your Calendar
You have to plan if you want to succeed. When it comes to the therapy appointments you need to keep, one of the best things you can do is write it on your calendar and enter into your electronic calendar. When you do the electronic calendar option, be sure to set reminders so you have ample time to get to your appointment when you need to.
Setting the appointment on your calendar can also help ensure you don’t double-schedule yourself. Therapy appointments must remain a priority, so never schedule anything else at a time when you have therapy.
Remember That Therapy Gives You the Support You Need
One of the biggest challenges when you’re trying to make positive life changes is finding a good support system. When you first embark upon the therapy journey, you might only have your therapist to give that support. You should also talk to trusted family members and friends to find out who can be available for you. Ideally, you’ll have at least person available for support at all times.
The people you choose should be individuals you’re comfortable being honest with. You have to be able to be able to discuss your feelings, emotions and thoughts with them. They must reciprocate the honesty. They shouldn’t ever just tell you what they think you want to hear unless it’s what’s actually best for you.
Find an Accountability Partner
An accountability partner can help ensure you go to your therapy sessions. This person has to be able to get firm with you if you say you need to skip therapy. On top of helping you go to your therapy sessions, this person needs to be able to help you with other aspects of your therapy. For example, they need to help you stick to your plan for behavior and other points.
Some people find that having an accountability partner who’s going through the same things they are or has already been through them helps. You may realize that having more than one person to answer to helps you considerably.
Consider Different Types of Therapy
There are different types of therapy. One of the first decisions to make is whether you need inpatient or outpatient therapy. For some people, having inpatient therapy helps them get on track with their recovery with fewer distractions. They can then transition to outpatient therapy when they’re ready to start bringing real-world issues into their life.
Outpatient therapy, sometimes known as community-based therapy, enables you to live your life while you go to sessions with your mental health team. This may include one-on-one sessions, but group therapy is also beneficial for some people.
There are also many subsets in therapy. Talk to your primary therapist about what different options are possible for you. Some focus on helping you work through the traumas of your past so you can address the future. Others are geared toward helping you make decisions that are in your best interest. Many people who are going through therapy undergo more than one of these so all facets of their life are addressed.
Set Goals for Your Therapy Sessions
The goals you set for yourself are important. Your therapist will help you to set some, but you might benefit from others. These can include things like making a specific number of sessions without missing one or doing everything your therapist wants you to do for one month. The more detailed your goals, the more likely you’re going to meet them.
You can write your goals down, but you also need to share them with people who can help you meet them. Your accountability partners might be able to help you do this so that you have people who can cheer you toward meeting those goals.
Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal can mean more than just writing your feelings down each day. You can use this to denote how you met your goals that day. Jot down what you did to help improve your life. Keep track of any instances in which you feel better thanks to therapy. You can refer back to this when you’re wondering if therapy is helping you at all. It’s also something you can bring to your therapy sessions so you can make sure you’re not forgetting anything.
Decide How to Handle Mistakes
Being in therapy means you’re going to make mistakes. You’re human, so it’s just part of life. The key to moving forward is deciding how you’re going to address those mistakes. You can’t just give up on therapy because you missed a session. Instead, make sure you to go your next one and talk about why you missed. This can help you remain accountable and may also help you make positive improvements in the future.
Get Started with Therapy Today
When you realize that you need help for any mental health condition, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse or any other concern, your first step is contacting a counselor who can help. At FHE Health, you can contact a counselor around the clock. Simply call (844) 915-4335 to speak to someone right away.
