What Not to Expect from Psychotherapy

Some approaches take more time than others, but it is highly unlikely that lasting change for longstanding issues can be achieved in a few sessions of psychotherapy.

The first appointments are to determine if (and what kind of) therapy can be helpful. You will talk about what led you to seek care and about medical, social, and family history to help the therapist get to know you better.

It will require you, and your therapist, to take a hard look at yourself. 

You and your therapist will work together to (1) develop more awareness on what causes the problem, (2) understand how your current patterns affect you, and (3) experiment with different ways of thinking, doing, relating, and coping.

You will share your intimate details but your therapist will not often reciprocate. He won’t often direct or evaluate your choices, as they won’t be dealing with their consequences.

More commonly, your therapist will ask you questions and reflect what you said to help guide you in determining what you want to do and why. Your therapist may guide you to consider options and consequences you hadn’t, remind you about prior decisions (and their consequences) or flag repeated patterns.

Every therapist has their own particular therapeutic style, areas of clinical experience, and temperament.

Like any relationship, the therapeutic one is subject to personal compatibility. You may not ‘click’ with your first therapist, or during the very first appointment. It may require a few sessions with different professionals to determine the best fit for you.

• Have they answered your questions to your satisfaction about your diagnosis, their clinical experience, and what treatment could involve?
• Do they convey professionalism?
• Do they ask thoughtful questions?
• How comfortable do you feel talking openly with the therapist?
• Do you like their style, including their extent of interaction with you, use of humor, ability to perceive and address your emotional state during a session?