Your state of mind

If you are feeling tense, depressed, or anxious; if you are dissatisfied with yourself, or nothing seems to go right; if life is meaningless, or you find yourself losing touch with reality – and there seems to be no way out – you may be wondering what good talking can do?

Mind therapy can help

Although we may not always be aware of it, we do have the ability to cope.   Talking with someone who tries to see things in the same way as you, and who does not judge you in any way, can help you make sense of what is happening and find a way out of the jungle of thoughts and fears.

Seeking help is not a  weakness

It is no disgrace to seek this kind of help.   No one is entirely self-sufficient.   By taking this step, you do not abandon responsibility for yourself.

There is no magic

Because no two people are exactly alike, the answers to most human problems are neither simple nor quick.   Magic cures are an illusion.   If you are looking for a rapid and trouble-free remedy, you are likely to be disappointed.   What may have developed unnoticed over many years is unlikely to get better straight away!   So, improvement may take time.   It will certainly involve effort and perhaps further distress in the short term, but the key to success is to persevere, whatever happens.

Physical symptoms and you

If you are suffering from any physical symptoms, you should consult a medical practitioner before seeing a mind therapist.   The therapist will probably be interested to learn about this, as well as about your other immediate concerns.   But s/he will be much more interested in you as a person: such as your underlying hopes and fears; what you believe to be important; how you see yourself; how you see others and behave towards them; how they see and behave towards you.

Mind therapy is not for emergencies

You may be tempted to think that you need this kind of help only when you are feeling distressed or unwell. After all, we only call the fire brigade when there is an emergency!   But a leaking roof can only be repaired properly in fine weather.   When it rains, all we can do is mostly mop up the water!   Similarly, when we are in deep distress, the most we can do is try to make it more bearable.   The real therapy begins only when the worst is over.

It will require effort and perseverance

The purpose is not to indulge in polite or superficial conversation.   It is not simply a matter of having a cosy chat and feeling better for it, although it may sometimes seem like that!   If you are to gain lasting benefit, you will have to invest considerable emotional effort in order to discover why you need help and what you need to do. Although you can expect to be given all the help you need, it is important to realise that no one can do the work for you.

'A safe haven'

Try to think of the time you spend in therapy as a 'breathing-space', where you can talk and think about yourself; where it is safe to acknowledge what you really think and feel without being judged or rejected — a place where you can get away from saying what is expected of you, and talk instead about what really matters to you.   Your therapist is honour-bound not to reveal anything you say in confidence.

Exploring your feelings

You will be invited to consider all your feelings, not just those you think acceptable.   At first, you may feel embarrassed by this kind of intimacy.   Although you need not reveal anything you do not want to, the more open you are, the more progress you are likely to make. There may be times when neither of you says anything. At other times, the therapist may offer comments that are not what you want to hear.   Or s/he may not understand, with the result that you feel frustrated or angry.

Difficulties

Don't be discouraged by any of this.   The therapist will try to avoid it, but it is a risk you have to take if you are to make progress.   If you do find yourself becoming irritated or uncomfortable, make sure you tell the therapist so that you can together look for the reasons and set about resolving the difficulty.   You should not expect to be reproached, or abandoned for having said what you think and feel.
Whatever happens, do not give up suddenly, even if you feel you are getting nowhere.   If, having discussed it, you decide that there is no point in continuing, you will be free to end the arrangement whenever you choose.

Difficulties can be overcome

At some point, you will probably find yourself wanting to make some changes in your life.   This could give rise to discouraging comments from people at work, say, or friends or relatives, causing you to be reluctant to make the changes.   If that happens, you can expect your therapist to give you the support you need; but you will decide what you need to do, and how and when.

A successful outcome

In any case, a time will come when you will find you have enough courage and strength to manage without this kind of help.

What Mental 
Illness Is

Mind Therapy 
and Health

Mind Therapy;
Efficacy Factors 

Employing a 
Mind Therapist