Five Good Habits To Inculcate Before You Sign Into Therapy

Given the times the direction our lives seem to heading in, all of us are in need of some therapy. And honestly, there's no shame in admitting the same. Gone are the days when a visit to the shrink was frowned upon about as much as wearing neon green faux leather pants to college. A trip to the therapist is actually something that's encouraged.

However, successful therapy doesn't depend on the therapist alone. You have an important role to play here. This is why, before you even start the sessions, we give you five good habits you need to get into first.

Stay persistent

The temptation to give up halfway through or even before halfway is always there, nagging and itching at you. You know, why? Because, it's so freakishly easy to back out and pretend nothing ever happened. We admit that therapy is difficult. Opening up to a complete stranger feels not only creepy but also borderline infuriating. However, what you need to remember is that you're not the only one to feel this one. It's a natural part of the process. Therapy was never a quick-fix, and quick-fixes were never helpful. Instead, remain patient; push through the nervousness and hesitation. You know you want to heal. This is the most important step in that direction.

Communicate

This is the very essence of therapy. If you're only going to listen to what the therapist is saying and not going to respond, the whole process is just too pointless. You're here to talk. Talk, directly, openly and fearlessly. Of course, this is going to need some prior preparation. Write down all your questions. Think through all the issues you need to address first. Don't hesitate to express your doubts about this whole idea either. If you're scared, let the therapist know. Don't shut him out, he's here to help. And even if he doesn't have instant solutions, he'll team up with you and find some way out, or at least make you feel better.

List your aims and expectations

Whether it's for your personal reference or something to discuss with the therapist, maintaining a list is a healthy habit. You can either chart out your goals- short-term to long-term. You can also list all the reasons you need therapy in the first place. Having the list in front of you will keep you motivated and serve potent reminders whenever you freak out and run to the hills.

Stay honest

Therapy, obviously, involves a lot of dialogue and questioning. The best way to make the best out of it is to lay everything out in the open. Unless you've committed murder or something equally horrible, you can open up. The therapist is trained to listen without judging. Yes, we all want to look good and be accepted by people, but when it comes to therapy, this very attitude could pose as a big hindrance. Stay honest about past history of depression or any emotional triggers and the like. This ensures a well-rounded and committed treatment

Do your homework

Back in school, we had homework so we could fully understand and remember what we did in class. Whether we actually followed it or if it really went down like that might be a matter of debate, the concept is an important one when it comes to therapy. The therapist will suggest some exercises or things you need to put into routine every day. It could be something as simple as deep breathing exercises or reading something, but as simple and basic as they may seem, they are elements of great significance. So, if you're the kind of person who doesn’t like being told what to do, now might be a good time to tweak that habit a little. 

It is not uncommon to question the effectiveness of therapy. Patience is virtue, and in this case it's the most helpful thing you'll need. Whatever you do, do it keeping your main goal in mind. All the best!

This post was written by Nancy Baker; a freelance blogger who often writes articles for Melbourne Counselling, a well-known clinic of psychology therapy in Melbourne. She enjoys playing with her nephews in her free time. You can also follow her on Twitter @Nancy Baker.

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