Therapy can be an incredibly effective way to address mental health issues and improve overall well-being. However, therapy sessions can be costly. Therefore it is important to know whether the sessions are actually having a positive impact on your life. In this blog post, I’ll show you 10 signs that your therapy sessions are helping you, backed up by scientific research.
- You feel a sense of relief after each session
One of the most obvious signs that your therapy sessions are helping you is that you feel a sense of relief after each session. This feeling of relief is a sign that you’re making progress towards your therapy goals and that your sessions are providing you with some relief from the emotional distress that brought you to therapy in the first place. This is backed up by research that has found that clients who experience a sense of relief after therapy sessions are more likely to continue with therapy and experience positive outcomes (Orlinsky & Howard, 1986).
- You’re making progress towards your therapy goals
Another sign that your therapy sessions are helping you is that you’re making progress towards your therapy goals. Whether you’re working on managing symptoms of depression, reducing anxiety, or improving your relationships with others, therapy should help you to make progress towards your goals. Research has found that clients who make progress towards their therapy goals are more likely to experience positive outcomes (Tracey et al., 2014).
- You’re more self-aware
Therapy can help you to develop a deeper understanding of yourself, your emotions, and your behaviors. If you’re finding that you’re becoming more self-aware, it’s a sign that your therapy sessions are helping you to gain insights into your thoughts and feelings. This increased self-awareness can help you to make more intentional choices and better manage your emotions (Kazdin, 2013).
- You’re coping better with stress
Another sign that your therapy sessions are helping you is that you’re coping better with stress. Therapy can provide you with tools and techniques to manage stress and anxiety, which can help you to feel more in control and less overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Research has found that therapy can be effective in helping people to cope with stress and reduce symptoms of anxiety (Tracey et al., 2014).
- You’re more confident in yourself
Therapy can help you to build self-esteem and confidence in yourself. If you’re finding that you’re more self-assured and confident in your abilities, it’s a sign that your therapy sessions are helping you to develop a more positive self-image. This increased confidence can help you to take on new challenges and pursue your goals with greater determination (Kazdin, 2013).
- You’re setting better boundaries
Therapy can also help you to set healthier boundaries in your relationships with others. If you’re finding that you’re setting clearer and more assertive boundaries, it’s a sign that your therapy sessions are helping you to develop more healthy and fulfilling relationships. This is backed up by research that has found that therapy can help people to improve their communication skills and develop healthier relationships (Tracey et al., 2014).
- You’re more motivated to make positive changes in your life
Therapy can be a powerful motivator for change. If you’re finding that you’re more motivated to make positive changes in your life, it’s a sign that your therapy sessions are helping you to identify areas for growth and take action to make positive changes. This increased motivation can help you to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals (Kazdin, 2013).
- You’re feeling more connected to others
Another sign that your therapy sessions are helping you is that you’re feeling more connected to others. Therapy can help you to improve your relationships with others and feel more connected to the people in your life. Research has found that therapy can be effective in improving interpersonal relationships and reducing social isolation (Tracey et al., 2014).
- You’re more resilient
Therapy can also help you to build resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks. If you’re finding that you’re more resilient and better able to cope with adversity, it’s a sign that your therapy sessions are helping you to develop a more positive outlook and greater sense of inner strength. Research has found that therapy can be effective in building resilience and improving overall well-being (Southwick et al., 2014).
- You’re more satisfied with your life
Finally, a sign that your therapy sessions are helping you is that you’re more satisfied with your life overall. Therapy can help you to identify areas for growth and make positive changes in your life, which can lead to greater overall satisfaction. Research has found that therapy can be effective in improving life satisfaction and quality of life (Tracey et al., 2014).
In conclusion, there are many signs that your therapy sessions are helping you, including feeling a sense of relief, making progress towards your goals, and becoming more self-aware. Additionally, therapy can help you to cope better with stress, build self-esteem and confidence, set healthier boundaries, and feel more connected to others. Finally, therapy can help you to build resilience and feel more satisfied with your life overall. By recognizing these signs, you can feel confident that your therapy sessions are having a positive impact on your life.
References:
Kazdin, A. E. (2013). Psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 267-283.
Orlinsky, D. E., & Howard, K. I. (1986). The therapist’s experience of psychotherapy: A review of the research. Psychotherapy, 23(4), 591-596.
Southwick, S. M., Bonanno, G. A., Masten, A. S., Panter-Brick, C., & Yehuda, R. (2014). Resilience definitions, theory, and challenges: Interdisciplinary perspectives. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 5(1), 1-14.
Tracey, T. J. G., Wampold, B. E., Lichtenberg, J. W., & Goodyear, R. K. (2014). Expertise in psychotherapy: An elusive goal? American Psychologist, 69(3), 218-229.
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Margaretha Madoures 