Understanding a Therapy Session: How It Works and What to Expect

I work with evidence-based mental health treatments that help individuals struggling with emotional disorders, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and stress-related disorders. We will focus on the present moment and is structured, goal-oriented, and tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

We will identify and challenge negative thought patterns, which in turn change the way we feel and behave. Let me explain in more detail.

1. In the initial sessions, we will:

– Introduction and rapport: I will get to know you and build a trusting relationship.

– Assessment and goal setting: We will conduct a thorough assessment and set achievable goals.

2. You will have regular sessions

– Reviews and work on the action plan: It is time to review your week and previous sessions so that you can start working on your needs.

– Agenda setting: We will now set the focus for the current session.

– Explore your thoughts and feelings: You will identify negative thoughts and their impact.

– Cognitive restructuring: Challenge and reframe negative thoughts.

– Conduct behavioural experiments and exposure: Confront your fears, change your behaviour and engage in new activities.

– Build your skills and learn effective coping strategies: You will learn practical skills for managing challenges.

– Homework assignments must be completed. Practise the skills you have learned in sessions.

Here is a video that explains the CBT triangle in a simple way: thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

3. Ongoing review and adaptation:

– Reviewing progress: You must regularly review progress and adjust the therapy plan.

– Overcoming challenges: Refining strategies and exploring new approaches when necessary.

– Feedback and collaboration: Your input is essential to shape the therapy process.

4. The final sessions 

Our aim is for you to attend fewer and fewer sessions because you feel confident about your decisions, you can deal with everyday situations more clearly and your mental suffering has decreased – we will decide together your frequency.

– Consolidating skills: you will manage challenges independently.

– Relapse prevention: You will develop a plan to manage potential relapses.

– Reviewing achievements: Celebrate your progress and build your confidence.

– Plan for the future. We will discuss any future needs or follow-up sessions.

In a therapy session with me, you can expect:

– Online sessions via Google Meets: Online therapy sessions offer convenience and accessibility, allowing you to receive support from the comfort of your own home or any other place. This flexibility can make it easier to fit therapy into your busy schedule and maintain consistent progress.

– Structured sessions: Each session has a clear agenda, focusing on your specific issues and goals. You decide which road you want to take, and I will walk with you.

– Participation: You will be actively involved in the process. You must be involved if you want to feel confident and in control of your healing journey.

– Learn: You will learn practical skills. You will gain the tools and techniques you need to manage future challenges independently.

– Laughs: Therapy is a safe space for hard conversations, but it can also be fun.  

– Celebration: We both share in your victory. I am not the “aham” type of therapist. We will talk a lot.

– Pets: I’d love to meet your pets. Bring them to the sessions. My dog Bingo will eventually come to say hello.

– Sharing is caring: we will exchange information about books, videos, films, social media posts. It’s an essential part of the treatment and it’s crucial to build trust in our relationship.

In conclusion, therapy provides a clear and structured approach to overcoming mental health challenges. It focuses on kindness, empathy and active listening.

Take the first step on your mental health journey.

Picture of BETHÂNIA MONTEFORTE SASSERON

BETHÂNIA MONTEFORTE SASSERON

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