What is Psychotherapy?
A therapy space is like a container. With a strong therapeutic alliance, the therapist holds the container for the client, and client decides what to fill it up with. Therapist may provide the tools to help client fill up the container, depending on what the client’s needs and goals are.
The therapeutic relationship is the most important factor of therapy effectiveness, regardless of what intervention modality is used.
Clients are doing the best they can at any given moment with the knowledge and resources they have!
Therapy is not a project to succeed or fail on. Therapy is a journey. Sometimes it could be bumpy; sometimes it feels like you are going backwards; sometimes you find a new path!
Therapy does NOT always have to be about talking. Talking is only a form of expression. Other ways of expression include art, music, play, and so on. Play is the most natural form of expression for children!
Therapy can be helpful, and that doesn’t mean it is the only way to get the help people need. That being said, not everyone is ready for therapy, and that’s okay too. Everyone has a different healing journey with a unique healing timeline. Someone who doesn’t feel ready for therapy right now may be in a few months or years!
Change is never linear. There is going to be A LOT of ups and downs, and changes could sometimes be slow and gradual. This is us being human.
Therapy sessions do not always have to be heavy! There could be funny moments and things to laugh about.
Clients are always welcome to providing feedback. Feedback will not hurt our feelings personally and will be very helpful to making this therapy journey the one that works best for you.
Ashley Liu, LICSW
