Table of Contents –
1. Introduction
2. Consistency is the Key to a Successful Therapy Session
3. Ways to be Consistent in Therapy and the Importance of Showing up
4. Summary
5. FAQs
6. Conclusion
Introduction
One of the major factors of a successful therapy journey is being consistent. Therapy is a long process, and at times you may feel like giving up, feel stuck, and also have a sense of overwhelm. All these emotions are completely acceptable but they should also not stop you from seeking help. We also understand how difficult it can be to show up for every session, even on the days when you feel you won’t be able to engage yourself completely in these sessions.
In this blog, we will explore the importance of being consistent, showing up, and doing regular check-ins and follow ups with your therapist.
Consistency is the Key to a Successful Therapy Session
Maintaining consistency can go a long way, especially in a therapeutic setting. There are different ways to ensure that you are consistent in your therapy sessions. This allows you to have a flow in your sessions and it is easy for you to pick up where you left off. Not only that, but it also allows your therapist to track your progress in a better way and understand you and your needs better to help you in the best way possible. For example, let’s say you are creating a mandala, you spend days first creating the outerflow, then the designs and lastly the colors. All of these things flow well together creating a beautiful masterpiece. Therapy as well, when taken consistently helps you build yourself and help you achieve the ideal version of yourself.
Ways to be Consistent in Therapy and the Importance of Showing Up
Well, showing up for your therapy sessions after a long day at work, or after a bad day is definitely worth appreciating. To help you make this journey seem easier and to motivate you to be consistent with your therapy sessions, here are some ways to ensure that you are not skipping your therapy sessions but rather looking forward to them every week or every month! Have you been to a gym? It’s always difficult to get yourself to go to the gym each day after you take a membership, but doesn’t it feel rewarding at the end of the day when you show up and workout? Therapy helps you do the same. It takes a lot of courage to enter your therapy session, but trust is, it’s rewarding by the end of it!
Set a Routine
This is extremely important. In our day to day life, where we deal with tight deadlines, a million tasks on our to-do list and all the daily routine tasks, we may end up not providing enough time for ourselves or for the activities that bring us joy. One way to remain consistent is to ensure that we set a routine in place where we also add therapy to our to-do list for the week or month. Take the time to plan your therapy session and make space for the same in your day.
Prioritize Therapy
In the end, it all comes down to prioritizing these therapy sessions. You can set reminders for yourself or add the session to your personal calendars, that will allow you to ensure that you set this time apart for yourself and actively engage in these therapy sessions. Plan your day based on the priority tasks to ensure nothing is left out. After a hectic day at work, we often unwind in different ways, and therapy can be one of them. It’s a great space for you to reflect on what has happened in that entire week.
Open Conversations With the Therapist
In case you are not able to make it to the sessions or don’t have the motivation to be consistent with the sessions, it’s recommended that you talk to your therapist and have open conversations with them. This will not only allow the therapist to make certain changes in your sessions but also allow you to understand what is happening and identify the gaps.
Preparation and Self-Care
Prepare yourself before going into the sessions. At times, we don’t often have the headspace to engage in these sessions. In such instances, make sure you take some time out to ground yourself, prepare for your session and have an idea of what you would like to do. One can also do self-care, such as painting, listening to music or any other activity that they like after the session to unwind.
Creating a Supportive Network of People
There’s nothing better than having a network of supportive people around you. Talk about your therapy sessions with people that you feel comfortable with and ensure that they know what’s happening with the sessions and how you feel about them in order for them to be there for you. Having friends with whom you can share your progress with and celebrate the small milestones can help you go a long way!
Summary
We are all work in progress and so are our therapy sessions. As humans, it’s natural for us to not feel like showing up at all times! However, we can all have a few tools and resources with us in order to maintain a level of consistency. As discussed, it could be about setting reminders, building a network of people, or having open conversations with your therapist.
FAQs
Is it okay to miss sessions during emergency situations? – We all can miss a session or two when there is an emergency we need to look after.
Will my therapist judge me if I tell them that I don’t feel like coming to these sessions? – The therapist will not judge you but will rather help you understand why this is happening and if there’s anything that can be changed.
Is it okay for me to feel stuck in therapy sessions? – Yes, it is okay to feel this way during your therapy sessions, but it is essential that you communicate the same with the therapist.
How can the therapist help me be consistent in these sessions? – We understand it may be difficult to get yourself to go to therapy. However, we therapists have got you! You can also ask your therapist to have regular follow ups with you in order to ensure consistency.
Conclusion
The next time you feel unmotivated to go for your therapy sessions, you can make use of the resources that we have mentioned about creating a set of tools for yourself in order to maintain consistency, as it will only help you to make the most of your therapy sessions. Set a routine for yourself and make space for therapy. It’s also important to take care of yourself post the session, as we understand how overwhelming it can get!
To help you navigate through the challenges, we have out qualified therapists at PsyQuench to help you! Sign up here to know more: Conquer Challenges of Mental Health | Expert CBT, DBT, Trauma, Grief Therapy at PsyQuench
