Is Psychotherapy Working? How to Tell
Psychotherapy can be a powerful tool when it comes to mental health, but it can also be difficult to tell whether or not it is actually working. It’s important to be able to recognize the signs that your treatment is making a difference, so that you can continue to make progress. Here are some ways to tell if psychotherapy is working for you.
You’re Able to Make Connections Between Your Thoughts and Feelings
One of the most important things to learn in psychotherapy is to be able to make connections between your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and the environment. When you are able to recognize and understand the factors that influence your mental health, you are better equipped to make positive changes. If you’re able to identify how your thoughts and emotions influence each other, it’s a good sign that psychotherapy is making a difference.
You’re Able to Identify and Address Problem Areas
When you’re in psychotherapy, it’s important to be able to identify problem areas and address them positively. This could include recognizing triggers that lead to negative behaviors and coming up with strategies to cope with them, or identifying patterns of behavior that are unhelpful and working on changing them. If you find that you’re able to identify and address problem areas in your life and develop healthy coping strategies, it’s a sign that psychotherapy is working.
You’re Able to Set Boundaries with Others
Another sign that psychotherapy is working is if you’re able to set and maintain healthy boundaries with others. This includes being able to communicate your needs and limits to those around you, and knowing when it’s important to take a step back and focus on yourself. Learning to set boundaries is an important part of learning to have healthy relationships, and it’s a sign of progress if you’re able to do this.
You’re Better Able to Prioritize Your Own Needs and Demands
It can be difficult to prioritize your own needs and demands, especially when there are so many external pressures to conform and do what others want. However, it’s important to be able to recognize when your own needs should come first, and to be able to act on that knowledge. If you’re able to do this, it’s a sign that psychotherapy is having a positive impact.
You’re More Able to Effectively Deal with Stressful Situations
One of the most important things to learn in psychotherapy is how to handle stress in healthy ways. This could mean learning how to recognize when you’re feeling overwhelmed and taking steps to manage those feelings, or using relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety and worry. If you find that you’re better able to effectively deal with stressful situations, it’s a sign that psychotherapy is working.
The Bottom Line
While it can be difficult to tell whether or not psychotherapy is working, there are a few key signs to look out for. If you’re able to make connections between your thoughts and feelings, identify and address problem areas, set boundaries with others, prioritize your own needs and demands, and effectively deal with stressful situations, it’s a good indication that your psychotherapy is having a positive impact.
