Taking a course of therapy. What’s this journey really like? 
The decision to give therapy a try. Finding a therapist who feels like the right fit.  
Planning sessions. Working through challenges. Goals. Outcomes.  
And finally, termination.  
How taxing is this going to be? Can a person like me handle this? 
In this article let me to introduce you to the journey through the course of therapy and the steps that lead you through commencement to successful termination! 
Starting trouble 
Never-ending thoughts making it hard for me to get through the day. Feelings that choke me at unexpected times with a force that scares me. Work that feels like drudgery. Unfulfilling relationships. Are these good enough signs that I need therapy?  
Here are a few pointers that can be helpful: 

Mental health challenges disrupting your day-to-day functioning to the point that you have no choice but to stop and take notice 
Ways of coping in the past no longer seem to serve you any more 
Suggestions from friends and family seem to be irrelevant or insufficient in helping you surmount the difficulty 
Your concerns start impacting other important areas of your life including your relationships, your work and social life 

You may consider seeking professional help if the above description fits the way you have been feeling recently or the nature of your challenges 
Insights for the Journey 
Sharing your intimate thoughts with a person relatively unknown to you. Learning to trust again. This can feel intimidating as this path is unknown and unfamiliar to you 
Here are a few insights that can serve as guidelines: 

As you begin attending sessions, it might seem as if all the commotion within is coming all at once to the fore; rest assured that as you unpack the burdens you have been shouldering for so long, the storm within shall abate too 


Prioritizing attending sessions may need emphasis at the beginning until the routine is set solidly in place 
Allowing yourself a few minutes to mentally prepare for sessions, and time to unwind and rest, following sessions, before taking on the next task, and can help to integrate therapy seamlessly into your routine 

Taking the plunge 
First few sessions may witness you attempting the seemingly impossible task of fitting in years and years into a few hours of narration. Leaving you with a feeling that perhaps this might go on forever, never getting closure it deserves! Apprehensions about finding remedies for challenges. Your initial attempts at responding to what the process demands, perhaps not landing the way you’d expect!  
Hang in there, mate!  
Here’s what can help: 

Key to benefitting the most is sticking to the schedule; trusting the process; allowing things to unfold and materialize as you stay on track 
Learnings and insights await as you cross hurdles and stumbling blocks, slowly paving the way for new beginnings 
Addressing conflicts/ruptures in the alliance as and when they arise can help you work, in liaison with the expert, towards finding what works best for you 

How long is this going to take 
Remember this journey is here to serve you. To work on goals and expectations that you choose to work on, in collaboration, with your therapist 
Here are insights that can be helpful: 

Have a clear outline of goals, expectations, outcomes, in discussion with your expert, before commencing your therapeutic journey 
Bring things to a reasonable closure in case you choose to explore other options; this helps to consolidate the progress you have made and gain from all the hard work that went into it 
Have a discussion of the timeline of the journey, in the initial session, and revisit this periodically; proactively notice and address stagnation 

The Ending 
Best journeys are about feeling like you started yesterday and its already time to wrap up! 
Here are guidelines that can help in addressing this phase: 

As part of ethical practice, your therapist will bring up the topic of termination as and when it’s appropriate to address 
You can collaboratively plan to slowly start working towards ending this phase of therapy 


Its not about an abrupt ending; booster sessions and culmination sessions marked by appropriate reflection on learnings and the way forward, are also in store 

General insights 
It can be helpful to consider the following too: 

Therapy can be offered in various shapes and forms; talking; movement; art being a few 
Whatever form you choose to seek, be mindful of choosing trained, reliable, trustworthy professionals and resources 
This journey need not be only about problems and difficulties; it can also be about goals for self-growth; for self-exploration; for working towards building a life and a future that feels most fulfilling, fun, and purposeful! 

Let me conclude… 
You got this. 
Patterns of a lifetime  
That don’t serve you well 
Memories. Situations 
That hurt you still 
Bring it on. 
Trust the process. 
Yes! mysterious and challenging at times 
But worth your every iota of effort! 
See you at the other end! 
Cheers, mate! 
 
If you or somebody you know needs to get in touch with a therapist, consider reaching our ‘Support’ and ‘Engage’ verticals for affordable and inclusive help!     
 
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