Therapy 101 Archives - Tania Beaudoin

What happens in a therapy session?

Starting therapy can be terrifying. If you have never tried it or have never heard from someone first-hand what it was like, it can be like walking into the dark. People often wonder what takes place during the therapy session. To be honest, every session varies. Among therapists and even with the same client, things can look different from week to week, but here are a few things to expect:

Check-in: Sessions usually start with a quick check-in. This can include developments from the week or changes in the home that impact your daily life. It can be brief, but it gives the therapist a good landscape to know what other factors are contributing. For example, a car accident earlier in the week or the results of a medical test can be the source of worry and sleeplessness.
Homework Review: If homework was assigned, there should be time to review it. Some therapists will go through an exercise in detail, others just want your reaction to trying it.
Exploration: This is a vague heading, but there is a good chunk of the session devoted to exploring the subject matter that is presenting an issue for you. For example, it could be time spent exploring a fight with your significant other – what happened, what was said, the impact, how you handled it, how you did/could apply your skills. This often involves a mix of story-telling on the client’s part and socratic questioning on the therapist’s end. It may sound like a conversation you could have with a friend, but it’s often more extensive. As a therapist, I am guiding you to connect this to your goals, look for patterns, problem-solve, and ultimately have some moments of growth.
Interventions: This may or may not be explicitly separate from the rest of the session, but it involves the education and practice of a technique that can help you cope and problem-solve. Sometimes I am very explicit about practicing mindfulness, doing it as a game at first. Other times, we may be exploring a topic and I can introduce something naturally. It is always my intention to practice these new skills in session, they can be hard at first and if we can practice in a controlled setting, then it is much easier for you to implement this outside of my office.
Wrap Up: Think of this as the other bookend to the “Check In.” We are planning for upcoming sessions, discussing homework, and talking about issues that may come up in the following days. If the session has been a particularly difficult one, there should be times spent on ensuring that you leave grounded and de-escalated.

Most often therapy sessions are fluid and evolve organically. You get to bring in your concerns each week and lead the conversation. My job is to act as a guide or navigator as we explore. It’s okay if you’re still hesitant, but hopefully this helps!

Why Therapy?

When I tell people I’m a therapist, it usually starts a string of questions. There are strong perceptions out there about what therapy is and isn’t. I’m hoping this first blog post will help clarify what people seem to be asking me:

So, what actually happens in therapy and why do people go to therapy?

First, let’s talk about the “what” part of that question. Therapy goes by many names – counseling, psychotherapy, talk therapy, coaching – but what it all boils down to is meeting with a mental health professional who is a 3^rd person. Meeting with someone who has no stake in the game allows you to be completely honest and say the things we often hesitate to say to our friends or family. Therapy is a safe place to discuss what’s going on in your head and heart. It is NOT me telling you what to do. The truth is most of us know how to solve our own problems. We struggle taking the first step and need a little space and clarity. Once we get that, we can take action.

Now, the “why.” Therapy in its best form is a preventative measure. Although people come to therapy with a specific concern in mind, we talk about it in a broader context. The point is to give you some coping skills, look for patterns in your past, and discover your personal values so that whatever you face in the future, you are better armed to handle it. Unfortunately life doesn’t come with a manual to handling the ups and downs, the stress, or the pain. Therapy can help you tune into yourself better so that your head and heart can become your manual.

One last point – no one comes to therapy without fear or worry. It’s completely normal to feel nervous about making a call or showing up to your first session. I get it, I’m a stranger and you’re about to share things that are personal and dear to you. I know that you may tell me things you have never said out loud. I know this is difficult and I think you’re brave for showing up. I don’t have any expectations or judgments about you. To be honest, the first thing I do is look for your strengths. Those strengths are usually our starting point. I also try to be as real and welcoming as possible. I use a lot of humor too. Most of the time people leave therapy feeling relief. And if you decided to try therapy and it doesn’t feel right, that’s okay too. My hope is that if you’re ready or looking for change, you give it a try. What do you have to lose?

If you need a little more evidence, check out the following articles about the benefits of therapy:

Putting Feelings Into Words Produces Effects in the Brain

The Effectiveness of Psychotherapy: The Consumer Reports Study

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Brings Lasting Benefits through Self-Knowledge