General Questions About Therapy

What happens at a psychologist’s office?

Applying for therapy is not always easy and sometimes the patient feels stigmatized and fears criticism from others. There may be many questions in the mind about what is going on at the reception and what to talk to the psychologist about. Below you will find the most common questions and concerns related to therapy.

When to talk to a psychologist?

Isn’t therapy just for the “crazy”?

You don’t necessarily have to suffer from serious mental health problems to end up in a psychologist’s office. It is true that many psychologists treat mental health patients, but you can also talk to a psychologist about everyday things.

Therapy focuses on a person’s problems, concerns, anxiety, and stress and how to deal with them. You can talk to a psychologist about childhood events, problems in a relationship, a relationship with parents, or issues related to self-confidence, for example. If you want to develop and improve your life, therapy may be the right option. So forget the clichés and stereotypes associated with therapy.

Do I have to tell the psychologist all about myself?

You don’t have to tell the psychologist things you don’t want to share. However, keep in mind that a psychologist is a professional who wants to help you – this can be easier if you dare to open up. A psychologist has a duty of confidentiality and is not a priest or a police officer.

In therapy, you can tell your psychologist anything you feel is worth sharing. If the psychologist does not know the details that are important for therapy, he or she may not be able to provide the help you need. A psychologist doesn’t have a crystal ball from which to peek into the souls of your soul. Building a relationship of trust is important, and even if it seems strange to open up to the unknown on the first few visits, it should become easier over time. A psychologist has a variety of techniques in place to deal with your particular problems, so don’t lie or beautify the truth.

Can psychology fool you?

As we said above, it is not worth lying to a psychologist. A patient relationship is based on trust and honesty, and you can’t get the help you need if you’re trying to fool your psychology. You won’t move in any direction if you start lying or fail to say things. The psychologist wants to help you, and he won’t bring your actions or thoughts in, so open up boldly.

What if talking about something makes me uncomfortable?

This is completely understandable. The spectrum of human emotions covers everything from happiness to shame, and no emotion is forbidden. You don’t have to tell about painful or awkward things in detail if it feels disgusting, as long as you answer the psychologist’s questions honestly. You can tell your psychologist when a topic feels painful, and together you can discuss why it is – this can make it easier to grasp the topic. Shame and embarrassment will dissipate as you get to know your psychologist and start trusting him or her. This is how you slowly begin to deal with even the most difficult things, and dare to face sadness, happiness, anger, and pain more easily.

How long does therapy need to go?

The duration of therapy is usually determined at the first visit, but this may change during treatment. The duration of therapy can vary from a few weeks to many years, depending on your problems. Yes, the psychologist knows when therapy sessions are no longer useful and things have been dealt with successfully.

The patient can also decide on therapy sessions. Usually an agreement is reached with a psychologist. Patients with mental health problems tend to have longer treatment periods, while patients with stress and more mundane problems may have a shorter patient ratio. There is no one-size-fits-all formula for determining the appropriate length of treatment. A psychologist is not a magician who, after a few sessions, can provide you with the right answers to all your questions and problems.

In a few sessions, you won’t have time to deal with the problems you have been carrying since childhood or to cure the inconveniences of 20 years of marriage. Stop worrying about the duration of therapy and focus on what you want from therapy.

What kind of therapy is right for me?

There are many different schools and the number of therapy sessions is partly determined by the school.

• Psychoanalytic therapy focuses on the patient’s past and the psychic functions of the subconscious.
• Behavioral therapy addresses problems through behavior and learned habits.
• Cognitive-behavioral individual therapy focuses on the present and how the current situation can be changed.
• Strategic short therapy is suitable for dealing with individual problems.
• Humanistic therapy focuses on the development of the emotional level and the processing of emotions in the hope of better self-knowledge.