What to Discuss in Therapy

Therapy offers patients a safe space to talk through thoughts and feelings that have been impacting their health and quality of life. Sometimes, it can be daunting to know what to discuss in therapy. However, you should never let this keep you from seeking professional support that therapy offers. Keep reading to learn more about what to discuss in therapy below!

At American Detox and Treatment Center, we are a top-rated South Carolina drug rehab that provides tailored care to help patients overcome addiction and lead healthier lives. With comprehensive detox and inpatient care, we are here to help you every step of the way along your recovery journey so you can regain control of your health and quality of life.

5 Things to Discuss in Therapy

Asking for help can sometimes feel daunting, especially when it comes to going to therapy. Whether you have been to therapy before or not, sometimes it can be difficult to know what to talk about in therapy. Below are several things you can discuss in therapy so you get the mental health care and support you need to improve your health and quality of life.

What Brought You to Therapy

First, in order for your therapist to start getting to know you better, they need to understand what brought you into therapy. While at first you may not be comfortable sharing specific details or trauma about what brought you in (ie, relaying a traumatic experience to your therapist), it is critical to at least generally explain your needs and what you are hoping to improve in therapy.

For example, if you struggle with anxiety or need emotional support working through a difficult relationship in your life, therapy can be an excellent resource to help you safely and effectively work through thoughts, conditions, or feelings that may have initially brought you to therapy.

Thoughts or Feelings You Have Been Ruminating About

Rumination and overthinking can significantly impact your overall thoughts and feelings for the worse. If you find that you are constantly struggling with working through difficult ruminating thoughts or feelings, therapy can be an effective way to talk through these thoughts with a licensed professional. This will help you not only get thoughts and feelings out of your mind, but your therapist may also be able to provide healthy ways for you to manage these difficult thoughts and feelings.

Past or Current Relationships

Relationships, whether personal or professional, can critically impact your life for better or for worse. Unfortunately, sometimes difficult relationships in your life can negatively impact your overall health and quality of life. Talking with a licensed therapist in therapy can help you discuss past or current relationships that may be impacting your life for the worse. Your therapist can help you talk through these relationships to help you not only understand how to show up in those relationships (or ways to exit those unhealthy relationships if needed), but a therapist can also bring to light certain nuances within the relationship or a different perspective you may not have considered.

Stressors in Your Personal or Professional Life

Stress is a normal part of life. However, if you find yourself constantly stressed and struggling to cope with your stress healthily, it is critical to consider seeking professional help, such as in therapy. When you seek help in therapy, you can talk through those stressors and work with your therapist to create ways to cope effectively with those stressors in your life.

How to Improve Your Life and Self-Esteem

Finally, therapy can be highly effective in helping to boost your quality of life and self-esteem. Sometimes, you may not realize certain negative thought patterns or limiting beliefs that may be keeping you “down” and ultimately harming your overall mental well-being. Therefore, a therapist can provide an unbiased source for you to work through improving your quality of life and self-esteem for the better.

Help Is Available

Now you know more about what to discuss in therapy and why. Therapy is meant to be a safe space where you can talk with a licensed professional who can help you work through difficult thoughts and feelings. Although it can be daunting to go to therapy, especially if you have been to therapy before, you should not let this keep you from seeking the essential care you need to lead a healthier, happier life.

At American Detox and Treatment Center, we are a top-rated South Carolina drug rehab that is here to help you break free from addiction and regain control over your health and quality of life for the better. Whether you have been struggling with addiction or mental illness for months or years, we are here to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of therapy?

Therapy can serve many benefits to help you discuss certain mental illness symptoms you may be struggling with, to be able to talk through negative thought patterns or beliefs that are negatively impacting your health and quality of life.

What are you supposed to talk about in therapy?

As discussed above, what to discuss in therapy can encompass a range of things from certain mental health symptoms like anxiety you may be struggling with, to talking through specific relationships in your life or stressors that may be impacting your health and quality of life negatively. It is critical to understand that therapy provides you with a safe, judgment-free space to talk through and explore these thoughts and feelings.

What is a red flag in therapy?

A therapist should never make you feel judged, as it creates an unsafe space and can interfere with forming a therapeutic relationship. While a therapist may challenge some of your thought patterns or keep you accountable, if you find you are feeling judged or unsafe in expressing who you are with your therapist, this is a red flag in therapy to look out for.

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