We wanted to know how people go about taking therapy and how their early experience with therapy was. So, we asked few people from different walks of life, and this is what they said.
Real names are changed for the sake of anonymity.
What made you start therapy?
Soni (a businessman) - I started therapy because I was going through a tough time in my personal and professional life. Especially my professional life which made me restless and frustrated, leading me to make my environment toxic.
Arpit (working professional) - I started taking therapy in 2018, when I first started my job and my relationship with my then girlfriend was also getting very complicated. I started living with myself and my life pretty much felt overwhelming. I didn't know what was happening. I thought it would be a great idea to ask a professional and see what they say.
Om (college student) - I stared therapy because I was in a new city, and everything felt unfamiliar. I was struggling at college and feeling homesick as well. I knew I wanted to do better and invest more in my self-growth which is why I decided to start therapy.
How did you choose a therapist?
Soni - I chose a therapist by doing some research online and asking for recommendations from friends. I wanted someone who was experienced and had a good reputation. Most importantly I wanted someone who would stick around with me…
Arpit- I chose my first therapist from a recommendation of a friend. This person had a previous experience with therapy, so I reached out to them.
Om - I went to a website that offered counsellors at very affordable rates, it was also suggested to me by my friends. The main point for me was that it had to be affordable so that I can continue for a long time, if need be.
How was your experience with therapy?
Sony - My experience is mixed. The doctor whom I met was very senior, but while I was talking, I felt a disconnect with him. Somehow the only way of cure given to me was snapping myself out of a thought process; the doctor asked me to snap a rubber band around my wrist continuously whenever I experience negative thoughts. I injured my wrist and have carpel tunnel syndrome now!
Arpit - My experience with therapy is a mixed bag - good and bad both. I didn't stick to just one therapist. It was a bad experience because this one therapist dismissed the possibility of adults having ADHD and I didn't know how to cope with that since I had the symptoms. Another therapist talked to my parents to understand if I had signs of ADHD in my childhood. Then it got confirmed that I had ADHD. Once I was diagnosed, the therapist told me the steps I could take to have better productivity.
Om - My experience was mixed. The therapist was good and I developed a good rapport with her. A lot of very deeply held belief systems were questioned and challenged which was difficult but also incredibly helpful. It was helpful but sometimes I felt like I wasn’t heard properly and using only CBT was something I started disliking.
What was your biggest takeaway from therapy?
Soni - The biggest take away from therapy was to be open to therapy if one requires it!
Arpit - Therapist is that one person in your life that you should tell everything to, irrespective of whether you feel you're being judged or not, they are someone who believe in you and really want you to grow. They can find out patterns in our life and in our thinking which is so precious. Therapist is that one person in your team who can look at your life objectively and will tell you where you're messing up and how to deal with it.
Om - My biggest takeaway is that we think we are thinking logically about things and that our understanding of situations I correct. But that is far from the truth, our mind has several cognitive distortions. Therapy is very helpful for everyone according to me.
What are your questions regarding therapy? Leave in the comment section.
We recently published a post on what happens in therapy? to help you get some some understanding on the process, types of therapy approaches. Give it a read.