I thought today I would talk about the process of therapy. For many people the idea of sitting and telling someone your problems is apprehensible.  What will that  person think of me? Do I really need someone to tell my problems to? Do I really have any problems at all.  How can someone who does not know me know how to fix my problems, and after all, this is the way I have been all of my life. How can I or why should I change?

What happen to friends that you could count on to hear you out and give you good advice? Somehow, it seems like those days are over. In many churches , pastors do very little counseling and have stepped aside for professional counselors. I for example see between 30 and 3 people a week. That’s over 1500 hours a year of talking and praying for persons with varied problems. Just because of sheer numbers it makes sense to find someone who has lots of experience.

There are some things that everyone should know about therapy. One is that things could get worse before they get better. Why is this? Because material in your mind that has been hidden and suppressed for years is being brought to the emotional surface as the brain is being stimulated to process. Often this is painful information that we have been unwilling, or unknowingly repressing since youth. And after all , no one likes pain.

But sometimes, pain is a good thing. Pain tells us that something is wrong and in the right hands therapy can help identify what that wrong painful thing is.

But be ready, there are no quick fixes. And be ready, there is no gain if  there is no pain. So it could take at least a year to work out all of your debilitating stuff. And many times more than this.

First a therapist develops a rapport with his client. This means that as a client you will be entering into a relationship that demands honesty. Of course this may not happen immediately.  But if you are unwilling to take the plunge, forget it. Withholding will eventually keep you from getting the help that you need.

Second, you will discover emotions that you may not be willing to own. Overwhelming at times. But remember, nothing in your past had killed you before. They will not now.

Next it may be important to have a good support system in place. Friends, family, therapist, etc. the stronger your support system the better.

And remember. Good therapy will uncover underlying motions, beliefs and motivations that will be disturbing at first, but with time will give way to truth that will bring  freedom.

So go for it. If you have never had counseling, every person can and will benefit. I hope to hear from you soon.