What You Can’t Say To Your Therapist.
When engaging in therapy, it is important to be honest and open with your therapist, however, it doesn’t mean you have to share anything you are not comfortable talking about. With that said, there are certain topics and comments that you should avoid stating in order to ensure the best possible outcome of your therapy session, some of these topics could be lying, attacking, or disregarding your therapist. Thus, it is important you find a therapist you can trust, feel comfortable around, and someone you can share your life struggles with.
First and foremost, you should not lie to your therapist or tell them only what you think they want to hear because this is only wasting your time and you won’t find true healing if you’re not willing to share what’s really going on in your world. This can prevent the therapist from being able to properly address the issues you are facing and can ultimately hinder your journey to find healing, restoration, and hope.
Additionally, you should avoid making attacking or judgmental remarks about your therapist or their methods, their trained experience may lead them to recommended different approaches than what you would expect, but it’s recommended to try to have and open mind and heart when going into you therapy session. Remember, your therapist is there to help you, not to be attacked, undermined, or disregarded. Furthermore, it is important to be respectful of their boundaries and not to cross any lines that are set out for you as they will also display respect for you.
It is also important to be aware of your own boundaries and avoid topics that may be too personal or too difficult to talk about, this is where you are empowered to take ownership of your own story and find freedom in boundaries, even with your therapist. You should also avoid discussing topics that may be triggering for you (such as, trauma, abuse, or PTSD) or that you just aren’t ready to share yet, so give yourself time and space and share when you’re ready. If you find yourself in need of processing these types of topics, let your therapist know and they can work with you to make sure you are comfortable and safe as you take steps forward.
Reasons You Don’t Share Everything With Your Therapist:
- Some topics may be too personal or embarrassing to share, and you may not feel comfortable discussing them in a therapeutic setting yet or at all.
- It is important to maintain a level of privacy and respect yourself and your boundaries and your therapists boundaries. If a topic is not essential to your therapeutic process, you don’t have to bring it up, share what you feel ready to share.
- Sharing too much information can make it difficult for the therapist to focus on the issues that are most important for you to work through, thus share what you feel like you actually want to see growth and healing in.
- Your therapist is there to help you work through your issues, not to judge or criticize you for them, so be as honest and open as you can. If you are concerned about how your therapist may react to certain information, it may be best not to share it, but also trust that they are there to support you and respect your life experiences.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what you want to share with your therapist and what you feel confident saying. It is important to be honest and open about your thoughts and feelings, but it is also important to maintain your boundaries and respect yourself and the therapist you are entering into counseling with. While your therapist is there to help you work through your issues, it is important to remember that not everything needs to be shared, so trust yourself and give yourself space to discover what healing looks like for you.
Finally, it is important to remember that your therapist is not your friend and should not be treated as such, this is a licensed professional, to respect them as such. While creating a supportive and caring environment is important, it is also important to maintain a professional relationship with your therapist as you work on yourself.
Overall, it is important to remember that communication is key when it comes to successful therapy sessions, so try to be open, honest, and respectful. Being honest and open with your therapist is essential, but it is also important to remember that there are certain topics that should be avoided if they cross either person’s boundaries. If you have any questions or concerns, make sure to communicate these to your therapist and enjoy this life changing journey to inner healing.
