Why Connection With Your Therapist Matters
In the world of therapy, the connection between you or your child and a therapist is like the reins between the horse and the cart. Without this, the horse may get lost and the right path may never be found.
Let’s dive into why this connection thing is so crucial in therapy.
Setting the Stage with Trust and Safety
Picture this: your therapist is like your trusty sidekick. You gotta feel safe and comfy sharing your thoughts, right? Well, that’s what this connection is all about. Your therapist creates a super safe space where you can spill the beans without worrying about judgement. That trust is like the superhero power that helps you make progress.
Finding the Authentic Connection
Ever had a friend who just gets you? That’s your therapist. They’re not pretending, they are the real deal. This connection is like magic - like getting a warm hug for your soul - it helps you figure things out about yourself.
Walking Together at the Right Pace
Therapy isn’t a solo mission; it’s a tag-team effort. I remember back 20 years ago while studying to be a counsellor in University, really getting it drilled into us that giving advice is not what we do. We guide and walk along our clients, setting goals, tackling challenges, and celebrating wins.
Sitting like a Pig in Mud and Emotional Regulation
Emotions can be hard, plain and simple, and there is no way to wrap them up pretty. Learning how to sit in our emotions and feel the feels is crucial in being able to process them more effectively. I like to call this sitting like a pig in mud. Sometimes the mud is soft and smooth, other times it is stinky and full of poop. Either way we need to sit in it to really move through it. In your therapy connection, you learn how to understand and handle your feelings better.
Healing Past Boo-Boos by not Just Slapping on a Band-Aid
If you’ve got some old wounds that you are used to putting a bandage on (aka doing your best to avoid them), your therapist is like the Polysporin to help really heal them.
They help you face those tough memories and work through them. I usually tell my clients to expect it to feel worse before it gets better! It’s not always easy, but with your therapy sidekick, you’re on the path to feeling better.
So, why does this therapist connection really matter so much? Because connection creates the foundation of therapy. Your therapist creates a safe space where you can be yourself. Together, you’re not just surviving, you’re thriving!