We may have different reasons for going to therapy or counselling and not all of them have to do with mental illness.
It could be that there are severe symptoms present, that you wish to learn certain strategies and skills which help carry you through difficult moments, or that you simply want to learn more about yourself and develop further, even if there is nothing major bothering you at the moment.
What is true in any case is that the benefits of counselling are numerous, and improvements are both short and long term, in all areas of your life, even those you wouldn’t normally associate with psychology; Strongman Eddie Hall made use of psychotherapy to reach his goal of a 500kg deadlift.
Although the majority will begin with counseling directly, and not require medication, those of us experiencing an acute problem, might first sit for a clinical interview, whereby the psychologist will obtain the necessary information to refer you to a professional ideal for your situation, and perhaps offer medication. Then counseling may begin.
When you enter the therapist’s office you’re likely to be greeted by a smile and possibly a glass of water. You will be offered a seat, and the therapist goes over a short legal document regarding matters such as confidentiality.
At this point the session, which typically lasts for 50 minutes, has begun.
On the whole, talking is spread out evenly between client and therapist. However, for the early sessions, it’s likely that you will do most of the talking. You would have a lot to get off your chest, and the counselor would get a feel of your general situation and personality. Your entire background will be taken into your consideration so that there will be no jumping to conclusions.
What should you expect to do during your session? The majority of the time will be spent talking, and depending on your therapist, you may also learn and practice certain skills, such as relaxation exercises, during the session, and be asked to carry this practice into your everyday life.
In a regular counseling session, you will not at any point have to stand up and perform physical activity, nor will you make use of any tools or equipment; you will just talk.
The topics covered in therapy are bound to be challenging and uncomfortable, but this is ultimately what leads to development.
If you are afraid of this, know that you are directing the therapy session. While a counselor may probe or challenge where they see fit you have every right to say that you are becoming uncomfortable. You will not be judged negatively for doing so. The therapist will always adjust to your pace and needs, provided that you are clear in communicating with them.
There are many different styles of therapy, each serving a particular function. There are too many to mention here. These range from practical skills you can use for a short term fix, to more complex interventions which are aimed at creating awareness and long lasting change.
Which style you come across largely depends on the therapist you go to, as well as your goals/reasons for going to therapy. There’s always the possibility that you do not work well with a particular counselor or therapy style. This situation is very common.
It would be ideal to voice your concerns with your therapist to understand the matter more deeply. See if a different approach would suit your needs better.
Therapy sessions are rather expensive, with private sessions potentially costing upwards of 40 Euros an hour. However, there are companies which offer these services for cheaper, and are still of very high quality.
The University of Malta offers its students free counseling services. I urge anyone to make use of, even if just to deepen knowledge.
Which option suits you best is a personal matter. This depends on your intention and for how long you intend to keep going. While you could switch between therapists it is better to stay working with the same one if you feel that you are making progress.
I want to conclude with this point: therapy is a highly personal, active process. It is not standardised and passive like taking a pill; you are just as engaged in the session as your therapist. So, you play an active role in shaping your own development.
I hope this article gave some insight into the reality of counseling, and that any fears were laid to rest. Therapy is in fact a challenging process but is incredibly beneficial; and by no means something you should be afraid of.
