A person may lie due to various reasons, be it shame, embarrassment, or just the inability to open up. While some lies may not affect your life, being dishonest in therapy can turn out to be quite counter-productive. Trusting your therapist and being open about your feelings and concerns are of utmost importance. Although you may find it hard to practice unfiltered honesty at times, being truthful can allow you to unearth your underlying problems. This can lead to an appropriate treatment or diagnosis of your condition.
Counseling has numerous benefits, ranging from consistent support to eradicating destructive behaviors. It can help immensely improve your lifestyle and bring about a positive change in your perspective and thought process. In order to reap the benefits of therapy, it is integral that you present the real version of yourself instead of one that you consider to be the best.
Undoubtedly, showcasing vulnerability may be hard in the initial stages of therapy. But it would help if you remembered that withholding certain aspects of your life may lead to an inappropriate diagnosis. Read on to find out why honesty is indeed the best policy, especially when it comes to counseling sessions.
1. It Builds Trust
Most sessions require you to be open about your past, your lifestyle, and yourself. Yes, it may seem like a whole lot of personal information, but these inputs hold crucial information required for a complete diagnosis. It is necessary to build confidence and trust in the relationship. While this can’t be achieved overnight, it can be induced through empathy and honesty. Speaking out the truth about the challenges you are facing or the feelings that have you tensed will help your therapist understand the pattern of your thoughts, triggers, and motives.
Trust is the key to a healthy therapeutic relationship. It builds a safe space for people, one where they can be their authentic selves. Trust can be created through regular and open communication, fostering a sense of belief and faith. This will help you feel more secure and allow you to share your most intricate feelings and thoughts.
Once the foundation is set, you may find it easier to reveal the most authentic version of yourself. On your journey to self-discovery, trust and respect are the building blocks for a healthy relationship with your therapist.
2. It Helps You Succeed
Communicating your feelings, setbacks, and goals can help your therapist understand you better. You may think that a little setback is a piece of insignificant information for your counselor, but it is highly crucial for your betterment. Being honest about the little things will enhance your progress and ultimately be held accountable for your actions.
Therapy can be tough, especially since so much of your life is under constant scrutiny. Being completely honest and facing your problems head-on will help you realize your goals sooner. If one of your goals is to journal every day, it is integral to be truthful about the days you have not done it. This will help you build momentum and keep you on track. If you fear judgment or are embarrassed to showcase the vulnerable sides of yourself to your counselor, remember that you are on the same team! Your counselor will support and guide you at every step – every setback and every small win.
Therapy can only help you address your triggers and issues once you are open and honest about your problems.
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3. It Stays Confidential
Therapy requires you to be upfront about the personal aspects of your life. You might be nervous about sharing certain vulnerable moments that you have not shared with anybody else, but rest assured that all the information remains confidential with your therapist.
Counseling will not affect your privacy whatsoever. Therapists are legally bound to keep your counseling sessions confidential. However, there are specific scenarios where a therapist is required to report the ongoings of a patient’s life. This may happen if a patient threatens to harm themselves or is in direct danger of being abused.
Ordinarily, your private information remains safe in the hands of your counselor, and you need not worry about the confidentiality of it all.
How to Open Up To Your Therapist
You may find it hard to disclose your feelings to your therapist, but it is necessary to be honest with your counselor in order to have fulfilling sessions. If you are unaware of how to go about it, follow the tips below.
- Building trust or faith with your counselor will undoubtedly take some time. Begin with smaller topics, ones that you are comfortable talking about. Having mild conversations may allow you to build a safe space steadily. For instance, you may talk about how you felt throughout the day instead of discussing an underlying condition or your childhood trauma. This will allow you to test the waters. You may get a sense of how you might feel while disclosing your private information and how your therapist will respond to it. Tackle the small before jumping on the big.
- Sometimes, our brains may become muddy with the constant flow of information. If you are overwhelmed by your thoughts and are not sure where to start, practice the art of note-making. Jot down your feelings, triggers, experiences, and everything that you might feel the need to talk about in therapy. This will keep you on a steady track.
- If you have concerns about privacy, get some clarity. You can always ask your therapist to be transparent and inform you about the policies regarding confidentiality. This will help you keep calm and will enable you to open up to your counselor for further sessions.
- Before starting any session, prepare yourself. Take deep breaths and ease your mind. If you are nervous, chart out a plan for everything you are going to discuss. Clear your mind and focus on your feelings. If it helps, try meditating or listening to calming music to ease your nerves.
- Sometimes, talking to yourself in front of the mirror can work wonders for your self-esteem. Practicing what you want to say beforehand can release all the stress and tension you may feel. Additionally, it may also boost your confidence and prepare you to face your therapist.
- If you fear being judged by your therapist, let them take the lead. They will create a safe and comfortable environment for you to open up about your issues.
- Save the stuff that you find relatable. If you see a video explaining your feelings explicitly, show it to your counselor. This will help them understand you better.
- At the end of the day, remember that you are never alone. There may be multiple people who feel the same as you. Do not be fearful of judgment. Talk about your experiences openly; rest assured that your counselor will help you. Remember, communication is key.
Being dishonest in therapy can turn out to be counter-productive. Acknowledging your problems and finding the courage to talk about them is integral. If it feels overwhelming, take it one step at a time, and you will be on your way to leading a healthier and happier life.
Get Started with a Trusted Provider on DocVita Today
If you are seeking therapy and are ready to confront your problems, you have come to the right place! DocVita can provide you with several trusted providers who will guide you and help with mental health issues and lead you on your journey to betterment. Hop on to DocVita’s website and book yourself an appointment with a specialist today.