Leveraging Adversity

The One Question Every Therapist Should Ask Posted: 12 Feb 2015 05:34 PM PST Let’s face it. Going to therapy is hard. Sometimes, really hard. It’s hard to know which therapist to call. It’s hard to even pick up the phone. And it’s probably even harder having a condition/situation/event that you feel requires therapy. And yet, as therapists, we want to help. We want to understand, help you feel heard, help you understand. We want to help you see your strengths and find a way through whatever you face. Ultimately, we want you to feel like you no longer need therapy. But first, we need you to come to the office, pick up the phone, or send the email. So how can we, as therapists, make it easier for you, as clients, to start the process? Here is one question that every therapist should ask. (And preferably this should be the first question.) What is it like for you to come to therapy? This question opens the door for you, the client to express everything you feel about the whole process of coming to terms with the need for therapy, the physical act of driving to the office, and the actual experience of sitting with us. It lets you talk about what you think we (as therapists) are thinking. It let’s you say if you feel judged, criticized, or subjected to an overly clinical evaluation. On the other hand, it let’s you say if feel we are not attentive enough — even distracted — or if we do not appear concerned enough with what if happening with you. And, it lets you talk about the relationship you have — or are trying to initiate — with us. The question is designed to help you be real with us — and hopefully learn to say exactly what you feel. Because that is what therapy is for. And that is how we help you. To learn more about strength based approaches to therapy, leveraging adversity and post-traumatic growth, visit www.leverageadversity.net