What Does Being in Therapy Look Like? 

What Does Being in Therapy Look Like? 

The conversation around mental health has really normalized and encouraged getting connected to a counseling center or therapist. But what does it look like to be in therapy? 

Dr. Elizabeth Raese, Associate Director of Wedgwood’s Community Mental Health Programs, provides insight on some of the details of what being in therapy can look like. 

In-person or virtual 

Since the pandemic had many unable to meet with their therapists in person, teletherapy became an integral part of mental health support! Teletherapy is another great tool for therapists and clients to use. It can make it easier for clients to fit therapy into their busy schedules by eliminating the commute to an office or allow flexibility if schedules or circumstances change.  

Having options when it comes to conducting therapy in-person or virtually can increase consistency in session participation, which helps individuals better reach their therapy goals! 

Relationship building 

A big part of counseling is the relationship between therapist and client.  

“It’s a unique kind of relationship,” says Dr. Raese. “While it’s a professional relationship it is also genuine and caring.” 

Therapists use their genuine care to help them get to know and understand their clients. This understanding and compassion allows them to form a trusting relationship, which helps the client and therapist work together to set and reach therapy goals. 

Therapy goals 

Counseling isn’t just ranting about all your problems. Your therapist will help you set therapy goals and develop strategies to reach them; whether it’s reducing a specific behavior – like a child’s intense outbursts – or increasing awareness of anxious thought patterns and reactions. 

“It’s very much individualized to the concerns and needs of each person,” says Dr. Raese. 

As you continue through your sessions, you and your therapist will check in and assess the effectiveness of strategies and progress toward the goal. 

You don’t have to lay on the couch 

While it’s often how therapy is depicted in the media, laying out the sofa and having someone ask you “And how does that make you feel?” isn’t necessarily how your counseling session will look. 

“There is a lot of creativity involved in therapy,” says Dr. Raese. “We can use a lot of different therapeutic interventions and approaches to help each individual’s needs, including more traditional ‘talk therapy’. We shape therapy plans with our clients and have conversations about different options and what feels like the best fit.” 

For kids, therapy can be quite interactive – like coloring, a physical activity (like playing basketball), or making something that can also be used as a coping strategy (like a calming glitter bottle). 

For adults and families, they might utilize the walking trail around Wedgwood’s campus while having a conversation about events that happened throughout the week. 

Success isn’t defined by any timeframe 

There is not set number of sessions or length of time for counseling – It could be weekly for six months to work through a life change, reducing the number of sessions as things feels more manageable, or it could be a regular session with a therapist over several years to continue to work through the impact of past trauma. It looks different for everyone.  

Client needs, therapy goals, and external supports all impact what success looks like. 

Some people come to therapy to identify and develop coping skills and get support for putting a plan into action – and can taper down or end services. Others are dealing with more complicated issues, and success may look like establishing and maintaining longer-term support. 

“We can always re-evaluate, and readjust plans as situations and needs change,” said Dr. Raese. “Just because you’ve formally closed therapy services, doesn’t mean you cannot start again.” 

 

 

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Wedgwood’s Counseling Services offer compassionate mental, emotional, and behavioral support for children, teens, families, and adults in West Michigan. Our Counseling Center is conveniently located in Grand Rapids. Learn more about our grace-filled care at www.wedgwood.org/services/counseling-services/ or call 616.942.7294.