Therapy is often misconceived as something unnecessary. Laying on a couch while you spill your guts to a stranger can seem daunting or a waste of time, but, therapy is what you make of it. In some way, shape, or form, the point is to get your feelings out in the open, so you no longer have to harbor them. There are all types of therapies you can choose from, including holistic and traditional therapies that can be beneficial to you, providing the tools you need to live the best life possible without anything from your past holding you back.
If you do choose a type of talk therapy to help you move forward with vigor in your life, you could find yourself emotionally lighter and more confident. The point of therapy is not only to talk out any resentments, fears, relational setbacks, struggles, or anything else that is bothering you. Therapy has resources that can assist you in dealing with your issues outside of the therapist’s office. Before you swear off therapy altogether, here are some of the aspects of therapy you can expect to talk about when you finally take that much-needed plunge into a therapeutic setting.
You dive into your past.
Getting into your past may be the one thing that puts you into a tailspin about not wanting to attend therapy. If you have dealt with addiction, trauma, or sexual abuse, the best thing you can do is talk about it with someone you trust. You may think to yourself; you just met your therapist and how in the world are you going to tell someone you do not know about your deepest, darkest parts of your past? Health care professionals are here to guide you through the pain you have experienced with care and sensitivity, so as not to push you before you are ready. Your past will set you free if you are open to discuss it in a constructive environment.
You dive into your triggers.
Knowing what makes you tick is important for you to recover. Smells, people, places, songs, movies, business endeavors, or anything else that could lead you to relapse or want to harm yourself should be uncovered. Building a defense against the next drink, drug, or however you plan to harm yourself is key. Recognizing the things which spin you out of control is important to pinpoint so that you have a better chance of staying sober and experiencing mental wellness. Triggers are those elements that once understood can be used as an asset rather than a weakness that continues to break you down.
You dive into planning for the future.
Even though you live by a “one day at a time” mentality, there is something about using today to get you through tomorrow. You may have been taught to not plan the future although a relapse prevention plan will make you think about your future with more clarity when you feel like drinking or using. Putting certain checks and balances of recovery into place is important to omit the painful and uncomfortable behaviors that come before and after the relapse.
You dive into self-care.
One of the most important aspects of recovery is learning how to take care of yourself. When you were drinking and using, most likely your hygiene, diet, sleep, and water intake were not priorities in your daily life. Now that you are in recovery, you should look at yourself wholly through your body, mind, and soul. Taking care of your body, your mind, and your soul will overall make you feel better. Being healthy begins with how you treat yourself and ultimately how you will treat others.
You dive into your relationships.
Nothing will give you more anxiety than the state of your relationships. You probably can attest that your addiction was fueled by the stressors of your relationships. Family, friends, and romantic partners can be the source of contention that really needs to be ironed out in therapy. Whether you were being enabled in your addiction or you have codependency tendencies, relationships can be especially difficult to navigate. Learning how to set boundaries, using your recovery tools in different scenarios, and living by principles can all be addressed in therapy. Helping you learn to become successful in relationships through your therapy efforts can set you up for healthy relationships ongoing.
Finding a therapist that you can connect with will help you to let your guard down and guide you in articulating your emotions so you can take on the world in your recovery.
Offering a full range of recovery and mental health services, Valiant Living offers “Expanded Recovery” to enrich our clients’ lives in mind, body, and spirit. Through evidence-based therapy options and the endless adventure of Colorado, Valiant fosters connection, encouraging clients to get connected to themselves, their peers, their families, and their higher power. With the power of recovery, clients are restored to full health and experience life-changing healing. Call us today for more information: 303-536-5463
