Therapy is great. It is not like going to a doctor and getting a prescription. In counselling the therapist is an excellent, helpful, diagnostic tool, but the cure needs to be self-administered. The strength for this is 100% from God. Here are some tips that I've found helpful.
1) Have goals. Spend time before even starting counselling to think about what you want to get out of it. Think about behaviours, thought patterns and coping mechanisms that you want to change. It's not much fun, but really focus on your weaknesses. It is better to think closely about them for a little while than to live with them forever.
2) Be honest. This especially applies to the stuff you don't want to share. Again, not fun, but necessary.
3) Journal. You only have an hour at a time to talk so make sure you know what you want to discuss and spend time mulling and analysing before hand. When you are feeling a strong emotion write it down and ask yourself: What caused this? What are other situations that I've felt this? Where does this feeling manifest physically? (That last one makes no sense to me, but counsellors always ask it, so maybe it's helpful to some of you) What is my response to this feeling? etc. This is also a really useful habit for after counselling ends.
4) Ask for homework. Most counsellors will give you reading or strategies to practice, or things to journal about. If they don't make sure to ask for some. If they do; ask specific questions and follow up with it. This is where some of the best progress is made.
5) Change. Don't give up in the end and go back to your comfort zone. Be concious of the things you wanted to change at the beginning and actually live them out.
Good and practical advice. Thanks!
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