Why do therapists challenge me?

Your therapist may be trying to understand your schema (e.g., the way you think). Your therapist may be helping you identify non-helpful language such as “never.” Your therapist may be generally curious about your job history and how it affects you.

Is a therapist supposed to challenge you?

An effective therapist will challenge you and help you see things from a different perspective, even if it’s hard to hear. They will give you homework that you may not like. For example, when I feel anxious, my reaction is to try to get rid of that anxiety any way that I can.

How do you know if your therapist cares about you?

Signs Your Therapist is Good For You

• They actually listen to you.
• You feel validated.
• They want what’s best for you.
• They’re a strong communicator.
• They check in with you.
• They take the time to educate themselves.
• You view them as an ally.
• They earn your trust.

Do therapists analyze you?

Therapists often want to “turn off their work brain” just like most other working professionals. So you can rest assured that therapists who are not at work are likely not “psychoanalyzing” you. Therapists can’t actually analyze their own relationships very well because they are unable to be fully objective.

Is it normal for a therapist to be tough?

It is completely sensible and appropriate for a therapist to be direct, clear, and even tough sometimes. If your drinking is out of control, you don’t want your therapist to ignore that fact, collude with you in your alcoholism, and in effect smile her way through therapy with you.

Is your therapist tough enough to handle bullying?

If you walk into therapy and find yourself sitting across from a bully, you will want to get out of there before real damage gets done to you. Not all therapist toughness is bullying. It is completely sensible and appropriate for a therapist to be direct, clear, and even tough sometimes.

What should it feel like to go to therapy?

It shouldn’t feel like you’re a drug junkie waiting for your next fix. Instead, you should begin to see measurable improvement in your life. You should begin to feel more empowered, more confident, and more able to handle distressing situations. A good therapist/counselor helps you find your strengths.

Is it normal for my relationships to change during therapy?

It can be normal to have a shift in relationships over the course of therapy. Perhaps you’ve been hanging around people that have drained you or you discovered that all your relationships are generally one-way relationships. In these cases, it’s typical to have a friend or group shift. Old ones fade and new, healthier relationships enter your life.