You’ve made the decision to seek therapy.  Undoubtedly, your mind is filled with assumptions, fears, and hopes.  
 
“Do, I sit or lay on the couch?”
“What’s an Oedipal complex?” 
“I’m not crazy. I don’t need therapy – only crazy people need therapy.”
“I wonder if this will even help.”
 
It is natural to be curious about a new experience.  The unknown can be scary but it also is exciting, especially when it comes to a new and potentially intense relationship.  And therapy is a relationship.  Overall, the therapeutic relationship is one that provides safety and the opportunity to be heard, as well as challenged. However, it does indeed take two to tango. (*You as the patient must be prepared to be open, honest and prepared to take an active role in your therapy*).   The purpose of the therapeutic relationship is not to replace other friendships, romantic partnerships, or family bonds, but to provide a safe environment to enhance those other relationships as well as increase your comfort and command of your world. Therapy is a powerful relationship but is not a panacea.  
 
Therapy serves various purposes for various people.  Therapy can help you to build coping skills by teaching you ways to manage anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and emotions. Therapy can help you work through challenging situations and new experiences like the birth of a first child or the loss of a job.  Unlike other relationships, therapy presents you with the opportunity to directly examine how you relate to yourself and the world around you with the guidance of someone who knows these roads well.
 
Trust is also a vital component of any satisfying relationship, and this includes the therapeutic relationship.  The following are ways that can assuage your concerns and start the therapist/patient relationship off on a solid, trusting foundation.  A good therapist will walk you through these steps:
 

• Discuss confidentiality – who, when, and why will the therapist share sensitive information.
• Clarify: 
  • How often sessions will take place.
  • How long sessions will be.
  • How much sessions will cost.

• Discuss how they conduct therapy and why they practice the way they do.
• Be sure the therapist respects your experiences and honors your questions.

 
 
Relationships, especially the therapeutic relationship, require communication and the ability to share your thoughts and feelings. Throughout the course of therapy, if you are uncertain about the experience you are having, or don’t feel connected, comfortable or understood by the therapist, you should absolutely stop the conversation and say something.
 
Therapy is a powerful relationship but this power is reduced if you and the therapist are not appropriately aligned and are unable to effectively communicate. Remember, therapy is kind of like a dance. Sometimes you are going to groove and be in total sync with your partner and sometimes you are going to trample on each other’s feet, but either way, you have to be comfortable and communicative with your partner.  So, if this is not the case, talk to your therapist and work with him or her to decide if the fit is appropriate.  Don’t worry, this will not hurt your therapist’s feelings. He/she is there to help you and ultimately, the goal of the therapist should be to make sure that the style, personality and quality of therapy is addressing your needs.    
 
If you are considering starting a therapeutic relationship or have questions about the therapy experience, Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services has experienced therapists that work with adults and can and can answer your questions.  If you would like to find out more about our services or about our clinicians, please do not hesitate to contact us at 267-861-3685 x91.