What to Talk About in Therapy

Going to your first therapy session can feel intimidating. You may not know what to expect or where to begin discussing issues you struggle with. Most people feel this way when they start therapy. It is normal to feel nervous about revealing your thoughts to a stranger, have feelings about being judged, or even what to talk about in therapy. There are no right or wrong topics to talk about in therapy. You can bring up whatever is on your mind, and your therapist will help you without judgment. Let’s explore some suggestions of what to talk about in therapy and help you prepare to make the most of your treatment.

 

Understanding the Purpose of Therapy

Therapy is the process of meeting with a trained professional, such as a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist, to resolve issues and behaviors in your life. Some reasons why people seek out therapy can include relationship issues, mental health concerns or disorders, and family dynamics. The goal of therapy is to explore the person’s emotions and life circumstances so they can have a deeper understanding of themselves, their close relationships, and other important factors. It is a wonderful tool to help people live happy, fulfilling lives.

Most people think that therapy is only for patients who are dealing with severe or distressing mental health conditions. However, therapy can be used for other purposes, such as dealing with difficult life decisions, managing everyday stress, improving communication skills, moving through the grief process, and working on emotional regulation. Therapy can facilitate positive changes in emotional and social functioning, improving a person’s overall satisfaction and quality of life.

What to Talk About in Therapy: Common Topics to Discuss

It is easy to feel that topics to discuss in therapy need to be deep or serious. However, no topic is off-limits. When wondering what to talk about in therapy, there are some common topics, such as mental health concerns, grief, relationship troubles, fears, burnout, and goals. Therapists will usually conduct a thorough intake to determine areas in your life where you struggle. Sessions may be more structured, where the therapist guides you, or they may allow you to take more control by having you choose the topic to discuss that day. Reviewing a list of general topics can help you realize or remember an area in your life you would like to resolve during therapy and counseling, such as:

• Current challenges and stressors.
• Recent events.
• Your goals.
• Emotions and feelings.
• Relationships and interpersonal issues.
• Self-esteem and self-image.
• Progress and setbacks.
• Coping skills and problem-solving strategies.
• Childhood memories, stressful events, or trauma.
• Life patterns.
• Things that cause you anxiety or worry.

Personal Growth and Self-Improvement

Therapy does not always necessarily need to be about symptom reduction. Some people use therapy as a tool for personal growth and self-improvement. Personal growth encompasses the process of self-improvement, self-actualization, and self-discovery and is a lifelong journey. Patients seek to enhance self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and understanding of themselves and others. Therapy can help people freely explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without judgment and develop greater self-awareness. Patients can also learn to improve emotional regulation, develop coping skills, and foster healthy relationships.

Behavioral Patterns and Habits

Therapists can also use behavioral therapy to help clients build healthy habits and change behaviors. Through evidence-based therapeutic techniques, therapists can help people identify the root causes of their unhealthy behaviors and develop new, positive ones. There are several types of negative behavioral patterns, such as codependency traits, past aggressive tendencies, self-sabotage, and quick-temperedness. Patients can also receive support in setting achievable goals and accountability. Therapy can also help overcome barriers to change, develop effective coping skills, and build sustainable habits.

Mental Health Symptoms and Concerns

Psychotherapy is one of the main treatments used to reduce mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. Patients can talk to their therapist about their thoughts and feelings to understand and cope with their mental health symptoms. There are many types of psychological therapies used in treatment to address mental health symptoms and disorders. Not all techniques will work for everyone, so finding what works best for you is important. Therapists will help you explore the root causes of your mental health symptoms and provide you with tools and techniques to manage unhelpful thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

Life Transitions and Changes

As we go through life, we will experience various transitions, and while some of these changes may be easy to navigate on our own, therapy can help you move through major life changes more easily. Some life transitions can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health, such as marriage, divorce or break ups, loss of a loved one, the birth of a child, starting a new job, and even retirement — and some of these positive changes can still create emotional or mental turmoil. Therapists can provide tools, skills, and support for navigating life changes more effectively. If you’re wondering what to talk about in therapy, life transitions and major changes are a common topic because they affect us greatly.

Therapy Techniques and Tools

Therapists use hundreds of therapeutic techniques and modalities, including dual diagnosis group therapy for people with substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition. Some of the most common ones include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy focuses on identifying and correcting negative thoughts that affect certain emotions and behaviors.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on how emotions influence thoughts and behaviors. It also incorporates concepts of acceptance and mindfulness to help people let go of what they cannot control and live a more peaceful life.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This relatively new form of therapy is specifically designed to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder. This type of therapy is thought to change how the brain stores traumatic memories so the person does not have the same emotional response when encountering triggers.

How to Prepare for Therapy Sessions

It is normal to feel nervous for your first therapy session, but preparing for a session can help ease some of that anxiety. However, you can be as prepared or unprepared as you feel. Here are some ways you can prepare for your first appointment:

• Think about what your goals for therapy are.
• Make a list of topics you would like to cover, such as difficult emotions you are experiencing or major changes in your life.
• Review your life history and how that may be impacting your life now, such as people, emotions, and situations you avoid.
• Dress comfortably, and don’t feel pressure to dress a certain way.
• Clear some space on either side of your appointment so you are not feeling rushed and can take time to process the work you did afterward.
• Bring a pen and notebook to write down anything you want to remember from your session, such as techniques or homework.

How WhiteSands Treatment Supports Therapy Goals

WhiteSands Treatment is a network of drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers in Florida with therapy for co-occurring disorders. Our clinicians use therapy to help address unhealthy behaviors such as addiction and comorbid mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. While we offer therapy, our treatment programs are geared toward people with a primary diagnosis of substance use disorders. Personalized addiction treatment programs can help patients change behaviors, enhance coping skills, foster relationships, heal from past wounds, and develop effective communication skills.

If you want more information about our dual diagnosis treatment programs at WhiteSands Treatment, please contact us today or call 877-855-3470.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.