Therapy is a commitment. As a client, we commit our time, money, and energy to our healing. We commit to our therapists by seeing them every week at the same time and same place. We commit to being open and honest, while also being receptive to the words of our therapists. We cannot hold back our commitment, or else we risk sabotaging our goals.
Therapy is also a commitment for the therapist.
The energy and effort we commit to our healing journey must be supported and reciprocated by our therapists. Feeling abandoned, judged, or rejected by a therapist will set back our healing and leave us feeling confused, betrayed, hurt, or all three. It is imperative that we feel safe and supported in our therapeutic journey.
Therapists must be committed to clients in order to be fully present and aid in their growth and goals. They must approach clients with empathy while also striving to understand their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. This includes a commitment to respecting clients’ autonomy, supporting them in making their own decisions and taking control of their lives.
All therapists must be committed to acting in the best interest of their clients, avoiding actions that could cause any kind of harm. This is done by being honest and transparent with clients about the therapeutic process, including setting realistic expectations and discussing any potential challenges in treatment. Therapists must create a safe space for clients, and this is often done my maintaining confidentiality. Knowing that everything said in session is private and will not be shared creates trust and helps foster the bond between the two.
But, one of the most important commitments given is that of time. Having a set schedule provides consistency and routine, further deepening trust by creating stability in the therapeutic relationship.
When I go to work, I have to be ready at every session showing clients that I am a consistent presence in their life. Regular session help maintain momentum, as I maintain the continuity and progress of each session, making sure every session is a natural outgrowth of the previous. That hour that is reserved for clients is a dedicated space for reflection and emotional exploration with me as a guide that is there to help clients prioritize their mental health, integrate therapy into their lives, and improve the quality of their life.
Therapy is a deep and meaningful relationship between therapist and client, and developing a deeper, more effective connection with my clients is the most significant predictor of their success in therapy. For those in therapy, commitment to our mental health journey means being committed to the work. For those of us that are therapists, it means being committed to our clients.