Participating in counseling or psychotherapy can be life changing, but the outcomes depend significantly on how you approach the process. At PSI, we want to make sure that all our clients get the most benefit possible from their experience in therapy. We suggest that you think about your therapy the same way you’d think about a big investment, because therapy can represent a big investment of time, energy and money. To get the most benefit from your investment in therapy, your active engagement and intentionality are crucial. From selecting the right therapist to maintaining consistent efforts, there are practical steps that can make the experience deeply rewarding and effective.

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The first and perhaps most important step is choosing the “Right Therapist.” This is one of the most important decisions to ensure the success of therapy. But what does “right therapist” mean? Research indicates that the best predictor of whether you’ll benefit from therapy is how much you trust and feel connected with your therapist. A strong therapeutic alliance—a bond of trust and mutual understanding—is essential for achieving meaningful progress. So, it’s vital to find a counselor or psychotherapist whose approach, expertise and personal style align with your needs and who fosters a sense of trust and comfort. So, finding the “right therapist” means finding the therapist who’s right for you at this moment in your life. As you’re starting therapy, within the first session or second session, please ask yourself ”How comfortable do I feel with this therapist? Do I feel that this therapist understands and respects me and my needs?” If your response to yourself is yes, then you’ve found the right therapist for you!

The second ingredient that can help you to get the most from therapy is consistency. This means making commitments to both attending sessions regularly and in applying the tools and strategies learned in your daily life. You will benefit when you commit to viewing therapy as a priority and showing up, even during busy or challenging times. The frequency of regular sessions can of course vary from person to person depending on your needs and goals. Between sessions, you need to proactively work on implementing therapeutic tools and practices in your daily life. This consistency helps reinforce new coping mechanisms, thought patterns, and behaviors.

The third way to increase the impact and benefit of therapy is setting realistic expectations and goals from the beginning. Real change and growth are possible. At the same time, personal growth and healing are often gradual, nonlinear processes rather than quick fixes. There are frequently obstacles and setbacks along the path of real change. If you accept this reality and remain patient with yourself and the therapy process. You can better tolerate any frustrations and enhance your commitment. It is also helpful to establish clear, achievable goals with your therapist, which can serve as benchmarks for measuring progress.

The fourth element of getting the most benefit from therapy is maintaining open and authentic communication with your therapist. Sharing vulnerabilities and discussing personal struggles openly can be challenging, but doing so enables the therapist to provide tailored support and insights. You should strive to be truthful about your feelings, experiences, and even concerns about the therapy process itself. The more information therapists have, the better equipped they are to guide their clients effectively. At the same time, if you feel that your concerns are not being heard or addressed, then it’s really important to raise this with your therapist or consider trying a different therapist.

Finally, your willingness to embrace change plays a significant role in the effectiveness of therapy. Therapy can uncover deeply ingrained patterns and beliefs that may require adaptation or letting go. The process of real change and growth can frequently bring you outside your established comfort zone and into a place you temporarily feel less comfortable or confident. Being open to new perspectives and actively working toward personal transformation fosters growth and ensures that the investment in therapy leads to meaningful outcomes. With dedication and collaboration, counseling and psychotherapy can empower individuals to navigate life’s challenges and achieve greater emotional and mental well-being.

Benjamin Weinstein, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Certified Teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion