Therapy Risks
As with any major endeavor you choose to take in life, there is going to be some risk. In deciding whether or not to pursue therapy, it is important that you are aware of possible risks as well as the benefits a therapeutic relationship has to offer.
First, there are no guarantees in therapy. Simply put, despite your best efforts, therapy may not work. Sometimes the therapist and client are not a good match. Sometimes you may come in with one issue and then, as the therapy evolves, other issues may emerge that the therapist does not have the skills, training, or expertise to help you with. For some people therapy helps a lot and for others is barely helps at all. If you are feeling stuck in therapy or if you do not find it helpful, this is an excellent thing to bring up in session. We can work together to pinpoint the problem, discuss goals, and try and resolve the issue. If there is concern with a poor therapist-client match for whatever reason, or if I do not have the expertise to help you, I will be happy to give you a referral.
Another risk is that therapy, especially in the short-term, may actually make you feel worse. Why would this be? In therapy you may decide to remember, in detail, painful and difficult moments from the past in order to eventually be free of the hold these events have on you. Feeling temporarily worse after bumping up against intense and uncomfortable feelings is perfectly normal. You may feel sad, angry, anxious, or other intense emotions. This is completely normal and is to be expected. Keep in mind that the ultimate goal is long-term change and relief. If this becomes an issue, it is best to talk about it in session so we can make a plan together on how to manage intense emotions outside of sessions.
Sometimes therapy can disrupt important relationships as people find new ways of relating to others and the environment. It can even lead to divorce. This is normal to have happen when people make important changes in how they see themselves and the world around them.
If you are seeking therapy for your angry or defiant child, behaviors are likely to get worse before they get better. This is because we will be working together to break old ways of giving in to these undesirable behaviors. In response to not giving in to the old behaviors, your child's behaviors will likely spike as you have the strength, courage and commitment to stand your ground. To lessen this risk it is best to discuss this in therapy. We can make a plan contingent on your child's behavior so you will feel prepared and know what to do should behaviors temporarily worsen. Over time, these undesirable behaviors lessen and eventually extinguish all together.
First, there are no guarantees in therapy. Simply put, despite your best efforts, therapy may not work. Sometimes the therapist and client are not a good match. Sometimes you may come in with one issue and then, as the therapy evolves, other issues may emerge that the therapist does not have the skills, training, or expertise to help you with. For some people therapy helps a lot and for others is barely helps at all. If you are feeling stuck in therapy or if you do not find it helpful, this is an excellent thing to bring up in session. We can work together to pinpoint the problem, discuss goals, and try and resolve the issue. If there is concern with a poor therapist-client match for whatever reason, or if I do not have the expertise to help you, I will be happy to give you a referral.
Another risk is that therapy, especially in the short-term, may actually make you feel worse. Why would this be? In therapy you may decide to remember, in detail, painful and difficult moments from the past in order to eventually be free of the hold these events have on you. Feeling temporarily worse after bumping up against intense and uncomfortable feelings is perfectly normal. You may feel sad, angry, anxious, or other intense emotions. This is completely normal and is to be expected. Keep in mind that the ultimate goal is long-term change and relief. If this becomes an issue, it is best to talk about it in session so we can make a plan together on how to manage intense emotions outside of sessions.
Sometimes therapy can disrupt important relationships as people find new ways of relating to others and the environment. It can even lead to divorce. This is normal to have happen when people make important changes in how they see themselves and the world around them.
If you are seeking therapy for your angry or defiant child, behaviors are likely to get worse before they get better. This is because we will be working together to break old ways of giving in to these undesirable behaviors. In response to not giving in to the old behaviors, your child's behaviors will likely spike as you have the strength, courage and commitment to stand your ground. To lessen this risk it is best to discuss this in therapy. We can make a plan contingent on your child's behavior so you will feel prepared and know what to do should behaviors temporarily worsen. Over time, these undesirable behaviors lessen and eventually extinguish all together.