So you know you need some help, and therapy is probably the answer. But you’re nervous about starting because you don’t know which topics to breach in therapy. Feeling this way is perfectly normal. Thirty percent of those responding to a 2020 survey weren’t in therapy because they felt their problems weren’t big enough. But therapy allows people to understand their problems better and reveal the “big ones” having negative impacts. If you don’t know where to start in counseling, this article offers the 15 most constructive therapy topics you can try to tackle first.
Importance of Having Constructive Topics in Therapy
Therapy conversations should always work toward a shared goal. You don’t hire a therapist to sit there and be your friend. Instead, you’re paying this professional to learn more about you so they can use their expertise to help you improve your overall mental health.
A good therapist always brings conversations back to a constructive, helpful place, but the patient must also have some accountability. A counselor can’t read your mind and won’t always know what you’re dealing with. As a patient, you need to plan what you want to address in therapy. You can never fix these problems if you don’t bring them up in sessions.
It can help to have a goal you share with your therapist so you’re both on the same page. For example, you might share that you think you’re depressed and believe your work, family and relationships are all playing a role. Once your therapist has this information, they can ensure all conversations return to this topic.
Your List of 15 Constructive Topics to Discuss in Therapy
Here are 15 productive therapy discussions you can have when you’re just starting with counseling:
- Parental and Family Relationships
Your relationship with your parents (or guardians) and family ultimately plays a significant role in how you grow up and establish relationships with others as an adult. Diving into the dynamics of these relationships can help you and your therapist understand the framework for how you approach relationships. - Romantic Relationships
Your romantic partners play a major part in your life. Sharing the details about your romantic relationships (past and current) gives your counselor a background into how you develop connections, who you develop them with and what challenges you face in romance. - Current State of Feelings
It’s a good idea for your therapist to have a general sense of where you currently stand, whether that’s feeling anxious, depressed, stressed or happy. Sharing how you generally feel most days can lay the groundwork for the issues that may need to be addressed in therapy. - Sexuality
Some individuals struggle with their sexual identity or sexual preferences, and therapy can be a safe space to work through these feelings. - Trauma or Abuse
Trauma and abuse can have an incredibly negative impact on a person, especially when they haven’t addressed or resolved the pain. - Career and Ambitions
Sometimes a person struggles with their place in the world, especially as their career unfolds or ambitions seem to falter. It can be a great idea to cover these topics in therapy to see if feelings of unpursued passions, lost dreams or disappointment are impacting your current career status. - Childhood Experiences
We’re all shaped by our childhoods. Discussing the details of your childhood with your counselor can give them a better sense of the background that helped you develop into who you are today. - Coping Patterns
Everyone experiences difficult times and copes with challenges differently. Not all coping mechanisms are healthy, so discussing how you manage can be a good way to identify possible areas that need help. - Fears
Therapy is an excellent place to discuss your fears, understand where they’re coming from and learn how to address them. - Grief
Grief can be overwhelming and can follow a person for months or years. Whether it’s a recent loss or one from the past, working through grief experiences with a counselor can be eye-opening. - Life Changes or Challenges
Change is difficult and can bring about mixed emotions. If you’re going through a major life change, such as a divorce, move, career switch, job loss or breakup, discussing the feelings associated with that challenge can help you gain perspective on the situation. - Your ‘Why’ For Therapy
You probably don’t even have to bring this topic up yourself. Your counselor will likely ask your “why” for therapy. They want to know what motivated you to book an appointment so they can better understand your goals and hopes for the sessions. - Previous Experiences With Therapy
If this isn’t your first time trying out therapy, bring up your previous experiences with your new counselor. Share why you started therapy before, what you liked and didn’t like, what outcomes were achieved and why you stopped going. - Concerning Conditions, Behaviors and Patterns
Sometimes, what drives us to therapy is our own behavior. We notice patterns or symptoms that make us worry about our mental health. If you think you’re struggling with a mental health condition, such as substance abuse or depression, bring up these concerns with your counselor. - Medical History
Therapy might be largely about mental health, but physical and overall health can also play a significant role. For example, someone with a recent cancer diagnosis will want to discuss this topic in therapy. Or someone who had a life-saving heart surgery decades ago may need to share this information in therapy to give context to how they live their lives today.
Talking About It All Can Help
Ultimately, you don’t need to come into every therapy session with a plan. It’s very likely your therapist will eventually cover all 15 of the above topics as they get to know you and attempt to understand you a little better. In the end, your problems probably can’t be compartmentalized. You might be surprised how many areas of your life can impact a single problem.
FHE Health Can Help
Looking for an understanding, compassionate therapist? FHE Health is a mental health and addiction treatment center that’s helped many people get on the road to recovery. Try therapy at a trusted, licensed and experienced center. Contact us today to find out more.
