It can take some time and effort to know how to “do” it in a way that is helpful, and it can look different with each therapist.
Even if you have been in therapy before, please read over the information below to understand what will be helpful to get the most out of therapy at Rootwise:
Expect that growth can be uncomfortable.
Therapy can feel uncomfortable, and when it does it can often be a sign that you’re healing, growing, and getting better. And, if you aren’t feeling safe-enough or overwhelmed, it is important to let your mental health professional know.
“Feeling better” has many definitions.
Feeling better doesn’t always mean feeling happier; it often means gaining insight/awareness, flexibility, self kindness, relationship skills, and the ability to cope with discomfort.
Learn how to be more curious and kind with yourself.
It takes time and effort to learn how to observe, label, and experience your thoughts, emotions, and body signals, and make sense of them with kindness. Let your mental health professional know if this is difficult for you.
Commit to trying new things before dismissing them
Much of the change in therapy happens between sessions. Make a good-faith effort to try the practices, reflections, or skills you discuss in therapy, even if they feel awkward, unfamiliar, or inconvenient at first. Before deciding something “doesn’t work,” make a good faith effort to try it. Your experience with the practice (including frustration, avoidance, or resistance) gives us valuable information and helps us tailor the approach more effectively.
Learn how to accept difficult realities.
Rootwise therapy will ask you to work toward accepting reality as it is. This might include figuring out how to solve problems you didn’t cause, and learn to pursue change wisely and intentionally.
Be honest in general.
If you aren’t honest with your mental health professional, they will be limited in how much they can help you, so be as honest as you can (including being honest about how you feel about them and therapy). Try to approach your thoughts and emotions with curiosity, and communicate when you’re confused, overwhelmed, or stuck.
Communicate directly with your mental health professional, including being honest about ending therapy.
You or your mental health professional may decide that it makes sense to pause or stop therapy. That’s a natural and normal process. And, if concerns arise, do your best to discuss them directly so you can experience repair, understanding, and a good ending if that’s needed.
Learn how to take responsibility for your choices.
Even when circumstances are unfair or problems weren’t your fault, therapy will often ask you to take responsibility for what you can control or influence as a way of reclaiming your power.
Aim to show up prepared.
Attend sessions consistently and come with at least one idea of what feels important to talk about, including, “I tried hard to come up with something, but I don’t know what to talk about.”
Do your best to protect your privacy and safety.
Choose a safe, stationary (e.g. no sessions while you’re in a moving vehicle), private space for telehealth and use crisis resources if you feel unsafe, rather than waiting for a session.
