With the support of a qualified therapist, therapy can help you identify and manage any thoughts, feelings and behaviours currently causing you distress. Therapy is supported by a substantial amount of research and is effective for a large range of different issues.

Therapy can transform people’s lives but it’s important to keep in mind that it is not an easy process and has some limitations. However when it works it can be life changing. Therefore, before starting your journey into therapy it can help to be aware of what it can’t do, to prepare for what to expect.

Therapy can’t be forced

A therapist can offer you support and share techniques to help you overcome any challenges you currently facing however, your success in reaching your desired goals will depend on a collaborative effort. Therapy requires active participation both inside and outside the sessions so to be successful you will need to feel some commitment to the process.

For some therapies, such as CBT our therapist will give you tools but if you want to see progress, you will need to incorporate them into your day-to-day life. It can be hard work and is a big commitment, but it is worth it.

Results cannot be guaranteed

This can be frustrating to accept but whilst engaging in therapy there is no guarantee you will get the results you want when you want them. Qualified therapists use their comprehensive skills and knowledge to support you, but change can take time. What a therapist will do is support you to help you achieve your therapy goals, but they cannot make guarantees.

Every journey is different

Speaking to someone about their experience with therapy can be helpful to see if it’s something you might be interested in or make it less daunting. However, it is important to remember that everyone is on their own journey with therapy, with unique timelines so what may work for one person might not have the same results for someone else.

Some people may reach their goals faster than you and that’s okay, but it is important not to compare your journey with anyone else’s even if you are going through similar experiences.

Don’t expect quick results

Promoting positive change and breaking negative patterns in your life cannot be done overnight. Some may see progress early on whilst for others it may take more time but if you trust the process and put in the work, positive progress can follow. It can take several small yet significant steps towards achieving your bigger goals.

Don’t expect perfection

It is important to keep your expectations for therapy realistic. If your goal is to emerge from it ‘perfect’ then you will need to rethink this mindset as you will be disappointed. The goal of therapy is to make progress towards your realistic goals which you will discuss with your therapist. It can help you improve your well-being, stress management, or adopt positive changes; it cannot be used to become flawless.